Apparatuses and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a conveying device provided with seat elements arranged for receiving objects, the seat elements being movable along a curved path, and a further conveying device provided with a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering the objects to, and/or removing the objects from, the conveying device, wherein the transferring arrangement comprises coupling elements arranged for engaging the seat elements in such a way that the seat elements and the transferring arrangement are maintained mutually coupled along a portion of the curved path.

The invention relates to apparatuses for moving objects, particularlydoses of plastics, and for compression-moulding doses of plastics. Theinvention further relates to a method for transferring doses ofplastics.

Apparatuses are known for compression-moulding doses of plasticscomprising a moulding carousel with a peripheral region of which formingmoulds are associated, the forming moulds comprising a mouldingcavity—i.e. a female half mould—and a punch—i.e. a male half mould—thatare reciprocally movable.

Each moulding cavity is arranged for receiving a dose of plastics in apasty state, when the moulding cavity is spaced apart from the punch.Subsequently, the moulding cavity and the punch are moved closer, insuch a way that the punch penetrates the moulding cavity and interactswith the dose of plastics in order to form the aforesaid dose.

Apparatuses are also known that supply the moulding cavity with doses ofplastics in a pasty state.

The aforesaid apparatuses comprise cutting devices that cut the plasticsexiting from a distributing nozzle of an extruder in order to give riseto the doses. The cutting devices may comprise one or more cuttingelements, and one or more contrasting elements acting as abuttingelements for the plastics and preventing a cutting element, after havingseparated a dose from the plastics exiting the distributing nozzle, frommoving the same dose away from a delivery zone. These apparatusescomprise a first carousel supporting a plurality of removing elementsthat remove the doses that the cutting devices have separated from thedispensing nozzle and a second carousel supporting a plurality ofdistributing elements that receive the doses of plastics from theaforesaid removing elements and deliver the doses to the mouldingcavities.

The first carousel and the second carousel have coextensive axes ofrotation and are arranged in such a way that the removing elements arepositioned at a vertical height greater than the delivering elements andthat the delivering elements are positioned at a vertical height greaterthan the moulding cavities.

The removing elements are fixed to a peripheral zone of the firstcarousel and move along a circular path.

The distributing elements are supported by movable arms associated witha second carousel and move along a closed loop path, the closed looppath comprising a portion coincident with a portion of the aforesaidcircular path, a further portion coincident with a part of thetrajectory—which is also circular—defined by the moulding cavitiesduring rotation, and two joining sections interposed between theaforesaid portion and the aforesaid further portion.

During operation, a removing element removes a dose of plastics from theextruder and, subsequently, delivers the dose to a correspondingdistributing element while the removing element and the distributingelement are mutually placed above and move along coextensive portions ofa circular trajectory.

Still subsequently, while the removing element continues to cover acircular trajectory, a movable arm moves the distributing element awayfrom the removing element and makes the removing element interact with amoulding cavity.

The distributing element delivers the dose of plastics to the mouldingcavity while the distributing element is placed above the mouldingcavity and moves along a portion of circular trajectory defined by themoulding cavities.

The movable arm enables the distributing element and the moulding cavityto interact for a longer time than the aforesaid distributing elementand the moulding cavity would interact if the distributing element werefixed to a peripheral region of the second carousel. This enables aninterval of time of significant magnitude to be provided, during whichinterval of time the dose can pass from the distributing element to themoulding cavity.

In the apparatuses previously disclosed, the movable arms are driven bycams.

A drawback of the apparatuses disclosed above lies in the fact that thedose of plastics is sheared by the corresponding movement of thedistributing element and the removing element if the aforesaid dose hasnot been yet transferred by the removing element to the distributingelement when the moving arm moves the distributing element away from theremoving element in order to make the distributing element interact withthe moulding cavity.

Portions of the sheared dose are spread on the apparatus. Consequently,the components of the apparatus (for example the tracks of the aforesaidcams, the moving arms, etc.) are dirtied by the plastics. Further, theplastics deposited on the aforesaid components, when the aforesaidplastics have become solid, produce stress on the components, alteringthe precision thereof.

A further drawback of the apparatuses disclosed above consists of thefact that the aforesaid apparatuses are remarkably complicated tomanufacture and commission.

Actually, the aforesaid cams must be produced with very reduceddimensional tolerances since a small dimensional error of the camsresults in a significant—and thus unacceptable—positional error of thedistributing element with respect to the moulding cavity.

In particular, the movable arms act as levers that entail anamplification effect that transforms a small dimensional error of thecams into a major positioning error of the distributing elements.

In the event of a dimensional error of the cams and/or in front of aninaccurate angular step thereof, the distributing element is not alignedwith the moulding cavity and, consequently, in the event of inaccuraciesof a certain amount, the dose cannot be transferred.

Additionally, the wear and the deterioration of the components and thedevices amplify the aforesaid inaccuracies.

Further, since the number of moulding cavities is greater than thenumber of distributing elements, each distributing element must supply,during operation, a plurality of moulding cavities.

A drawback of the apparatuses disclosed above consists of the fact thata proper positioning of the distributing element is very difficult toobtain with respect to all the moulding cavities of the plurality ofmoulding cavities that the aforesaid distributing element is designed tosupply.

Positioning errors—although of limited amount—of a moulding cavity withrespect to the forming carousel mean that the distributing element isnot able to deposit the dose, entirely or partially, into the aforesaidmoulding cavity, even though the distributing element is able to depositthe doses into the other moulding cavities of the aforesaid plurality ofmoulding cavities.

In addition, during the cam design step, it is very difficult to predictthe values of the centrifugal and centripetal force to which the doseswill be subjected during operation of the apparatuses.

As the doses have a smaller diameter than the diameter of thedistributing element, through the action of the forces mentioned abovethe doses tend to rest on a portion of wall inside the distributingelement and to be separate from a further inner wall portion of thedistributing element. Thus if the distributing element is coaxial withthe moulding cavities, a longitudinal axis of the dose does notsubstantially coincide with an axis of the moulding cavity, which makesit more difficult to transfer the dose.

This drawback could be obviated by designing the cams in such a way thatthe dose, and not the distributing element, is coaxial with the mouldingcavity.

In this case, to move from the transfer of doses having a setdiameter—and therefore intended to form preforms having a certaindimension—to the transfer of doses having a different diameter—and thusintended to form preforms having another dimension—it would be necessaryto replace the cams, which makes the disclosed solution actuallyimpracticable.

In the apparatuses previously disclosed, each distributing elementcomprises a tubular casing that has an upper opening, through which adose coming from a removing element enters inside the tubular casing anda lower opening through which the dose passes from the tubular casing toa moulding cavity. Each distributing element comprises a first closingelement and a second closing element that are hinged on a support forthe tubular casing and are movable between an opening position, in whichthe passage of the dose through the lower opening is permitted, and aclosing position, in which they prevent the passage of the dose throughthe lower opening.

The first closing element and the second closing element pass from theclosing position to the opening position, and vice versa, describingarched trajectories.

An actuating device is further provided that is provided with a rod thatdirectly drives the first closing element.

The second closing element is driven by the first closing element bymeans of a lever having an end hinged on the first closing element and afurther end hinged on the second closing element.

A drawback of the apparatuses disclosed above consists of the fact thatthe first closing element and the second closing element pass from theclosing position to the opening position, and vice versa, with differentmodes (i.e. with different motion laws) with respect to one another.

Anticipated or differed movements of one or two of the closing elements,the internal surface of which is in contact with a lower end of thedose—which may be more or less adherent to the aforesaid surface—entailstressing or twisting the dose, in particular the lower end of the dosewith respect to a body of the dose.

This means that the dose is subjected to stress that tends to deform theaforesaid upper end thereof, i.e. a tip zone of the dose. As a result,inserting the deformed dose inside the moulding cavity may be difficultor even impossible.

The arched trajectories of the first closing element and of the secondclosing element constitute a design limit inasmuch as not all theinternal shapes of the first closing element and of the second closingelement, which could be technologically appropriate for a good product,can be implemented, as some of these shapes do not allow, or make itextremely difficult, to extract the lower end of the dose from the firstclosing element and from the second closing element.

An object of the invention is to improve the apparatuses for movingobjects, particularly doses of plastics.

Another object is to improve apparatuses for compression-moulding dosesof plastics.

A further object is to obtain an apparatus for moving objects, inparticular doses of plastics, that is provided with good accuracy andgreat repeatability.

Still a further object is to obtain an apparatus for supplying doses ofplastics to a compression-moulding device in which the risk iseliminated that the doses are sheared as they are transferred.

A still further object is to obtain an apparatus for supplying doses ofplastics to a compression-moulding device that does not deform thedoses, in particular at tip zones thereof.

In a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided comprisinga conveying device provided with seat elements arranged for receivingobjects, said seat elements being movable along a curved path, and afurther conveying device provided with a transferring arrangementarranged for delivering said objects to, and/or removing said objectsfrom, said conveying device, wherein said transferring arrangementcomprises coupling elements arranged for engaging said seat elements insuch a way that said seat elements and said transferring arrangement aremaintained mutually coupled along a portion of said curved path.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises connecting elements soshaped as to mutually connect the transferring arrangement and the seatelements along a portion of the aforesaid curved path and to release thetransferring arrangement and the seat elements after the transferringarrangement and the seat elements have jointly travelled along theaforesaid portion.

In a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided comprisinga conveying device provided with seat elements arranged for receivingobjects, said seat elements being movable along a curved path, and afurther conveying device provided with a transferring arrangementarranged for delivering said objects to, and/or removing said objectsfrom, said conveying device, wherein said apparatus further comprisesconnecting elements so shaped as to mutually connect said transferringarrangement and said seat elements along a portion of said curved pathand to release said transferring arrangement and said seat elementsafter said transferring arrangement and said seat elements have jointlytravelled along said portion.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain anapparatus which with great accuracy inserts objects into, or removesobjects from, the seat elements. The seat elements, in fact, byinteracting with the coupling elements and/or with the connectingelements, induce the transferring arrangement to move together with theseat elements, along a portion of the curved path defined by the seatelements. Whilst the transferring arrangement and the seat elementscover the aforesaid portion, the objects can be transferred from thetransferring arrangement to the seat elements, or vice versa.

Further, in order to drive the transferring arrangement, it is notnecessary to employ one or more cams, as in the apparatuses according tothe prior art.

This enables the problems of loss of accuracy in the paths of thetransferring arrangement due to the dimensional tolerances of the cams,to the wear of these latter and to the loss of precision of the deviceswith articulated arms of the apparatuses according to the prior art tobe prevented.

The connecting elements force the transferring arrangement to movetogether with the seat elements, along the aforesaid portion of curvedpath. The aforesaid portion of curved path may thus have a very greatextent, as the transferring arrangement and the seat elements cannotseparate from one another until they are released by the connectingelements.

In an embodiment, the conveying device comprises a compression-mouldingdevice and the seat elements comprise moulding cavities of formingmoulds supported by the compression-moulding device.

In this case, it is possible to obtain an apparatus in which thetransferring arrangement comes directly into contact with the mouldingcavities—or with abutting elements associated therewith—duringtransferring of the doses.

During transferring of the doses, in fact, the coupling elements and/orthe connecting elements interacts with the moulding cavities in such away that the moulding cavities are reference and centring elements forthe transferring arrangement.

That does not occur in the apparatuses according to the prior art inwhich reference elements for the distributing elements are totallyabsent, the distributing elements being actually positioned above themoulding cavities, without, however, ever coming into contact with thelatter.

Additionally, the moulding cavities, by interacting with the couplingelements, function as driving elements of the transferring arrangement,assuring that the transferring arrangement and the moulding cavitiestravel along a common portion of trajectory in an interval of timeduring which the dose is transferred from the transferring arrangementto the moulding cavities.

That does not occur in the apparatuses of the prior art, in which thedistributing elements are actuated by cams, which entails positioningerrors of the distributing elements, to which errors also possiblepositioning errors are added arising from a non-optimal kinematicsynchronisation of the different devices (for example mechanicalproblems in transmitting the movements of the carousel devices).

In a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided, comprisinga transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses of plastics toa compression-moulding device, said transferring arrangement comprisingreceiving elements arranged for removing said doses from an extrudingdevice and delivering elements arranged for receiving said doses fromsaid receiving elements and delivering said doses to saidcompression-moulding device, wherein said receiving elements and saiddelivering elements are mutually fixed.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, an apparatus can be obtained, inwhich, unlike what occurs in the apparatuses according to the prior art,the doses are not sheared when the receiving elements and the deliveringelements move with respect to each other.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided,comprising a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses ofplastics to a compression-moulding device, wherein said apparatusfurther comprises a first closing element cooperating with a secondclosing element for closing and/or opening an opening of saidtransferring arrangement that is traversable by said doses and a drivingdevice arranged for moving said first closing element and said secondclosing element maintaining said first closing element and said secondclosing element parallel to one another on a plane arrangedsubstantially parallel to said opening.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain anapparatus in which, unlike what occurs in the apparatuses according tothe prior art, the first closing element and the second closing elementdo not exert stresses on the doses that could distort said doses, inparticular tip zones of the doses.

This enables the doses to be transferred more easily to thecompression-moulding device and to be inserted with greater precisioninto moulding cavities of forming moulds supported by thecompression-moulding device.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided, comprisinga transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses of plastics toa compression-moulding device, said transferring arrangement comprisingreceiving elements arranged for removing said doses coming from anextruding device, wherein said receiving elements are so shaped as toremove from said compression-moulding device objects obtained from saiddoses.

In a sixth aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided, comprisinga compression-moulding device provided with a mould arrangement arrangedfor compression-moulding doses of plastics to obtain container preformsand a movement device provided with a transferring arrangement arrangedfor supplying said mould arrangement with said doses and for removingfrom said mould arrangement said preforms.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, an apparatus is providedcomprising a compression-moulding device provided with a mouldarrangement arranged for compression-moulding doses of plastics toobtain container preforms and a movement device provided with atransferring arrangement arranged for supplying said mould arrangementwith said doses and with a removing arrangement arranged for removingsaid preforms from said mould arrangement.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to obtain a verycompact apparatus in which a single movement device delivers the dosesof plastics to the mould arrangement and removes from the mouldarrangement the objects obtained by forming the doses.

In particular, as a dose and a preform have a certain degree ofsimilarity—i.e. both have a lengthened shape—the receiving elements canbe adapted in such a way that said receiving elements, during a step ofthe operating cycle, removes a dose from the extruding device (or from acutting device that separates the dose from the extruding device) and,during a subsequent step of the operating cycle, removes a preform fromthe mould arrangement.

In the apparatuses according to the prior art, on the contrary, asupplying device is provided for supplying the doses to acompression-moulding carousel and a removing device is provided forremoving the preforms from the forming carousel. The removing device andthe supplying device are positioned alongside one other, the removingdevice being arranged upstream of the supplying device with respect to arotation direction of the forming carousel.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, an apparatus can be obtained inwhich the preforms can be held inside the compression-moulding devicefor a longer time than the apparatuses according to the prior art. Thisenables better cooling of the preforms on the forming device to beobtained.

Owing to these aspects of the invention, in fact, as a single movementdevice is provided that delivers the doses and removes the preforms, adose, and the preform obtained therefrom, remains substantially on thecompression-moulding device for a complete revolution of thecompression-moulding device.

On the other hand, in known apparatuses, the preform is removed from amould before a dose—designed for forming a further preform—is introducedinto the mould.

Therefore, each dose, and the preform obtained therefrom, remain aboardthe compression-moulding carousel for less than a complete revolution ofthe compression-moulding carousel.

Further, owing to these aspects of the invention, since a singlemovement device is provided for delivering the doses and removing thepreforms, the overall volumes are reduced and the extruder can bepositioned with respect to the movement device in such a way that thedoses remain on the movement device for a shorter time than in thesupplying devices according to the prior art.

That reduces the risks of adhesion of the doses to the transferringarrangement of the movement device.

Further, that makes a reduced thermoregulation of said transferringarrangement sufficient.

In an eighth aspect of the invention, an apparatus is providedcomprising a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses ofplastics to a compression-moulding device, said transferring arrangementcomprising containing elements arranged for receiving said doses,wherein said transferring arrangement comprises movement promotingelements received into said containing elements and movable with respectto said containing elements for delivering said doses to saidcompression-moulding device.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain anapparatus in which the doses are accompanied by the transferringarrangement up to the interior of moulding cavities of thecompression-moulding device, which enables the transferring of the dosesto be simplified and the positioning of said doses in the mouldingcavities to be improved.

In a ninth aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided, comprisinga transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses of plastics toa compression-moulding device, said transferring arrangement comprisingreceiving elements arranged for removing said doses coming from anextruding device and delivering elements arranged for receiving saiddoses from said receiving elements and delivering said doses to saidcompression-moulding device, wherein said receiving elements aresupported by said delivering elements and are movable with respect tosaid delivering elements.

The receiving elements are movable between a first operating position,in which the receiving elements and the delivering elements aresubstantially coaxial, and a second operating position, in which thereceiving elements are in a more advanced position with respect to thedelivering elements in a movement direction of the transferringarrangement.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain anapparatus in which, when the receiving elements are in the firstoperating position, the passage of a dose from the receiving elements tothe delivering elements is promoted, and, when the receiving elementsare in the second operating position, removing an object formed from oneof the aforesaid doses from the compression-moulding device is promoted.

Further, as the receiving elements move from the first operatingposition to the second operating position possible residual plastics areremoved from a face of the delivering elements.

In a tenth aspect of the invention, a method is provided, comprisingreceiving a dose of plastics in a transferring arrangement suitable fortransferring said dose to a compression-moulding device, dispensing intosaid transferring arrangement a first flow of fluid having a presetpressure for generating a cushion of fluid that surrounds at leastpartially said dose and further dispensing into said transferringarrangement a second flow of fluid having further preset pressure toeject said dose from said transferring arrangement, said further presetpressure being greater than said preset pressure.

Owing to this aspect of the invention it is possible to eject veryeffectively the dose of plastics from the transferring arrangement.

The first flow of fluid (i.e. the jet of high-pressure fluid), does notin fact act directly on the dose, but on the cushion of fluid that atleast partially envelops the dose. In this way, the dose is subjected tomore uniform stress than is the case if it is hit directly by the jet ofhigh-pressure fluid.

The dose does not therefore undergo stress that tends to deviate thedose and make the dose interact with, and become attached to, the wallsof the transferring arrangement, which would compromise correcttransferring of the dose from the transferring arrangement to thecompression-moulding device.

The invention can be better understood and carried out with reference tothe accompanying drawings, that illustrate some exemplifying andnon-restrictive embodiments thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus comprising a compression-mouldingdevice and a conveying device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the conveying device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the conveying device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective side view of the conveying device inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic and fragmentary plan view of the apparatus in FIG.1 showing conveying elements of the conveying device in an operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a view like the one in FIG. 5 showing conveying elements in afurther operating configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conveying element;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the conveying element in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the conveying element in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of the conveying element in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of a conveying element;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the part of the conveying element in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the part of a conveying element in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a frontal view of the part of a conveying element in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further part of a conveying element;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the further part of a conveying element inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic and fragmentary perspective view of the apparatusin FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a component of a conveying element;

FIG. 19 is a schematic layout of an apparatus for compression-mouldingplastics;

FIG. 20 is a schematic layout of a further apparatus forcompression-moulding plastics;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal section of a moulding cavity of a formingdevice and of a handling element of a conveying device in an operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a section like the one in FIG. 21 showing the handlingelement in a further operating configuration;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a containing portion of a handlingelement;

FIG. 26 is a further perspective view of the containing portion in FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view of a guiding element with whichthe containing portion in FIG. 25 is provided;

FIG. 28 is a further schematic perspective view of the guiding elementin FIG. 27, showing, in transparency, an embodiment of a conduitarrangement arranged for receiving a cooling fluid;

FIG. 29 is a section taken along a longitudinal plane of the containingportion in FIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is a further section taken along a longitudinal plane of thecontaining portion in FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 is a view like the one in FIG. 28, showing, in transparency, afurther embodiment of the conduit arrangement.

FIG. 32 is a detail in FIG. 10;

FIG. 33 is a partially schematic perspective view from below of aconveying element;

FIG. 34 is a partially schematic perspective view from below of theconveying element in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a perspective, schematic and sectioned view of the conveyingelement in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus comprising acompression-moulding device and a conveying device;

FIGS. 37, 39 and 41 to 44 are schematic plan views of the conveyingdevice in FIG. 36 that show connecting elements of the conveying devicein a succession of operating configurations;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged detail in FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged detail in FIG. 39;

FIG. 45 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus comprising acompression-moulding device and a conveying device made according to aversion;

FIGS. 46, 48, 50 and 51 are schematic plan views of the conveying devicein FIG. 45, which show connecting elements of the conveying device in asuccession of operating configurations;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged detail in FIG. 46;

FIG. 49 is an enlarged detail in FIG. 48;

FIG. 52 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus comprising acompression-moulding device and a conveying device, that showsconnecting elements of the conveying device in an operatingconfiguration;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged detail in FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a view like the one in FIG. 52, that shows the connectingelements in a further operating configuration;

FIG. 55 is a view like the one in FIG. 52, that shows the connectingelements in a still further operating configuration;

FIG. 56 is a view like the one in FIG. 53 showing connecting elementsmade according to a version;

FIG. 57 is a schematic layout of an apparatus for compression-mouldingplastics;

FIG. 58 is a fragmentary perspective view of a movement device arrangedfor inserting doses of plastics in a compression-moulding device and forremoving objects formed by the compression-moulding device;

FIG. 59 is a further fragmentary perspective view of the movement devicein FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a fragmentary and partially sectioned perspective view of themovement device in FIG. 58;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a locking element of a conveyingelement of the movement device engaging a moulding cavity of thecompression-moulding device;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view from below of a lower part of the movementdevice;

FIG. 63 is a perspective side view of the lower part of the movementdevice;

FIG. 64 is a schematic plan view of the lower part of the movementdevice;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view from above of the lower part of themovement device;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view from below of an upper part of themovement device;

FIGS. 66 to 69 are perspective side views of the upper part of themovement device;

FIG. 70 is an exploded perspective view of a handling element of theformed objects;

FIG. 71 is a schematic plan view of the upper part of the movementdevice;

FIG. 72 is a section taken along a longitudinal plane of a forming mouldof the compression-moulding device;

FIG. 73 is a detail in FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a schematic section taken along a longitudinal plane of aconveying element in an operating configuration;

FIG. 75 is a section like the one in FIG. 74 showing the conveyingelement in another operating configuration;

FIG. 76 is a section like the one in FIG. 74 showing the conveyingelement in a further operating configuration;

FIG. 77 is a section like the one in FIG. 74 showing the conveyingelement in a still further operating configuration;

FIG. 78 is a section like the one in FIG. 74 showing the conveyingelement in a still further operating configuration;

FIG. 79 is a detail in FIG. 76;

FIG. 80 is a detail in FIG. 77;

FIG. 81 is a detail in FIG. 78.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, there is shown a forming device 1 forcompression-moulding doses of plastics comprising a carousel 2 that isrotatable around an axis A, in a direction R1, and supporting aplurality of forming moulds 3. The forming moulds 3 are positioned in aperipheral zone 4 of the carousel 2 and are arranged so as to besubstantially uniformly angularly spaced apart.

For the sake of simplicity, only a few of the forming moulds 3 are shownin FIG. 1.

Each forming mould 3 comprises a moulding cavity 5 and a punch—notshown—that are reciprocally movable. The forming mould 3 may assume anopen configuration, in which the moulding cavity 5 and the punch arespaced apart from one another in such a way that a dose 80 (FIG. 21) ofplastics is inserted into the moulding cavity 5 and a formed object, forexample a container preform, is removed from the forming mould 3, and aclosed configuration, wherein the punch penetrates the moulding cavity 5to shape the dose 80. In an embodiment that is not shown, the formingdevice 1 comprises, in place of the carousel 2, a moving and supportingelement of the forming moulds 3, provided with a flexible element, forexample a belt or chain element, that is movable along a closed looppath.

Cutting devices are further provided, which are not shown, that cut theplastics exiting a distributing nozzle of an extruder in order to giverise to the doses 80. The cutting devices may comprise one or morecutting elements, and one or more contrasting elements acting asabutting elements for the plastics and preventing a cutting element,after a dose was separated from the plastics exiting the distributingnozzle, from moving the same dose away from a delivery zone. A conveyingdevice 6 is further provided that receives the doses 80, separated bysaid cutting devices from the distributing nozzle, and delivers thedoses 80 to the forming device 1.

In an embodiment that is not shown, instead of the forming device 1, arotating operating device is provided, on the periphery of which aplurality of seats are provided.

In that case, the conveying device 6 can deliver objects to said seats,or can remove objects from said seats.

The conveying device 6 comprises a further carousel 7, rotating around afurther axis B along a further direction R2, and supporting a pluralityof conveying elements 8, positioned in a further peripheral zone 9 ofthe further carousel 7 and arranged so as to be substantially uniformlyangularly spaced apart.

The carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 can be rotated by independentand mutually synchronised driving devices—for example electric motors.

In an embodiment that is not shown, instead of the further carousel 7,the conveying device 6 comprises a moving and supporting element of theconveying elements 8, provided with a flexible element, for example abelt or chain element that is movable along a closed loop path.

Each conveying element 8 comprises a pair of guiding rods 10 received inholes 11 of the further carousel 7.

The holes 11 may accommodate recirculating-ball bushings.

A spring 12 is interposed between the further carousel 7 and theconveying element 8, said spring 12 pulling the conveying element 8 tomove away from the further carousel 7 and to remain in a configurationof maximum extent E, shown in FIG. 5, in which the guiding rods 10protrude by a maximum amount outside the holes 11.

The maximum extent configuration E is established by end stroke elementsassociated with the guiding rods 10.

The spring 12 is internally led by a column 13 and is accommodated in aprotecting case 14 preventing, in the event of failure, portions of thespring 12 from damaging components of the conveying device 6.

The conveying element 8 comprises a supporting body 15 to which theguiding rods 10 are fixed and which supporting body 15 is radiallymoving with respect to the carousel 2, moving closer to or away from thefurther axis B.

The conveying element 8 further comprises a further supporting body 16rotatably supported on the supporting body 15 and oscillating around astill further axis C, arranged substantially parallel to the furtheraxis B.

The supporting body 15 is traversed by a hole 17—arranged substantiallyparallel to the still further axis C—inside which a shank 18 of thefurther supporting body 16 is received. Bearings 19 are interposedbetween the hole 17 and the shank 18, said bearings 19 enabling thefurther supporting body 16 to oscillate around the further axis C withrespect to the supporting body 15.

The further supporting body 16 comprises a handling element 20 providedwith a receiving portion 21, arranged for receiving a dose 80 that theaforesaid cutting devices have separated from the dispensing nozzle, acontaining portion 22, arranged for containing the dose 80 and givingthe dose 80 a desired shape, and a joining portion 23, interposedbetween the receiving portion 21 and the containing portion 22 andarranged for facilitating transferring of the dose 80 from the receivingportion 21 to the containing portion 22.

The handling element 20 is shaped in such a way that the receivingportion 21, the containing portion 22 and the joining portion 23 aremade of a single piece or anyway of several parts that are distinct fromone another that, once they are assembled, define continuous internalsurfaces for profiles and dimensions. The receiving portion 21 is “C” or“U”-shaped, and is internally provided with a gap 24, open towards thefurther rotating direction R2, and generally shaped like a reversedtruncated cone, i.e. having a decreasing section approaching the joiningportion 23.

The containing portion 22 is internally provided with a cavity 25 ofsubstantially cylindrical shape.

The joining portion 23 is internally provided with a further recess 26shaped like a reversed truncated cone, i.e. having a decreasing sectionapproaching the containing portion 22. In other words, the joiningportion 23 has a funnel-like shape for facilitating inserting of thedose 80 into the containing portion 22.

The joining portion 23 is provided with an inlet opening 27 throughwhich the dose 80, removed by the extruder (or by the aforesaid cuttingdevices that cut the plastics that exit a dispensing nozzle of theextruder to give rise to the doses 80) from the receiving portion 21,penetrates inside the joining portion 23.

The containing portion 22 is provided with an exit opening through whichthe dose 80 is delivered to a moulding cavity 5.

A thermoregulating arrangement is provided arranged for regulating thetemperature of the handling element 20, in order to prevent the plasticsfrom involuntarily adhering to the surfaces designed to come intocontact with the doses.

The thermoregulating arrangement may comprise a cooling conduitarrangement obtained in the handling element 20 and supplied with acooling liquid.

The thermoregulating arrangement may further comprise dispensing devicesfor dispensing a cooling gas, or other pressurised fluids that whenexpanding in volume on exiting micropores or holes tend to cool,consequently cooling the surfaces with which said fluids interact.

An internal portion of the handling element 20, intended to interactwith the plastics, can be made of material provided with porositythrough which the gas cooling gas is dispensed.

The internal portion, both in the case of a thermoregulating arrangementusing a cooling liquid and in the case of a thermoregulating arrangementusing a cooling gas, may be subjected to surface finishingtreatments—that may also provide in some cases the application ofcoating materials—preventing the plastics from adhering and improvingthe mutual sliding capability between the plastics and said internalportion.

A first closing element 29 and a second closing element 30 are furtherprovided, associated with the exit opening 28 and moving between an openconfiguration X, shown in FIGS. 4, 15, 16, 23 and 24, wherein the firstclosing element 29 and the second closing element 30 enable the dose 80to pass through the exit opening 28, and a closed configuration Y, shownin the FIGS. 21 and 22, wherein the first closing element 29 and thesecond closing element 30 prevent the dose 80 from passing through theexit opening 28.

The first closing element 29 and the second closing element 30 comprisea profiled portion 31 arranged for giving the tip of the dose 80 adesired shape.

A coupling element 32, arranged for engaging a moulding cavity 5, thatwill be disclosed in greater detail below, is associated with thefurther supporting body.

The coupling element 32 comprises a first coupling wall 33 and a secondcoupling wall 34, mutually sloped to define a “V” shaped seat 36, saidfirst coupling wall 33 and second coupling wall 34 being arranged forinteracting with an external surface of a moulding cavity 5,particularly with an external cylindrical surface 35.

During operation, the carousel 2 rotates around the axis A, in such away that the forming moulds 3, supported by the carousel 2, move forwardin the direction R1 along a circular path P1.

The further carousel 7 rotates around the further axis B, in such a waythat the transferring elements 8, supported by said further carousel7—said transferring elements 8 being held in the maximum extentconfiguration E by the spring 12—move forward in the further directionR2 along a further circular path P2.

The forming device 1 and the conveying device 6 are positioned in such away that the circular path P1 and the further circular path P2 intersectin a transferring zone T, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the doses 80are transferred from the conveying elements 8 to the moulding cavities5.

In other words, the axis A and the further axis B are spaced apart by adistance that is less than the sum of the radii of the circular path P1and the further circular path P2.

During rotation of the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7, aconveying device 8, lying on a starting portion of the transferring zoneT, interacts with a corresponding forming mould 3.

The first coupling wall 33 and the second coupling wall 34 engage withthe external cylindrical surface 35 of the moulding cavity 5 of theforming mould 3, such moulding cavity 5 being received into the “V”shaped seat 36.

While the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 continue to rotate, themoulding cavity 5 forces the conveying element 8 to move away from themaximum extent configuration E and to move closer to the furtherrotation axis B.

The supporting body 15 moves radially with respect to the furthercarousel 7, while the guiding rods 10 are partially received into theholes 11, the thrust applied on the supporting body 15 by the spring 12being overcome by the force applied by the moulding cavity 5 on thecoupling element 32.

The conveying element 8, during the movement, is maintained in contactwith the coupling element 32 by the force applied by the spring 12.

As emerges from a comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the furthersupporting body 16 rotates with respect to the supporting body15—passing from a first operating configuration O1 shown in FIG. 5 to afurther operating configuration O2 shown in FIG. 6—while the firstcoupling wall 33 and the second coupling wall 34 remain in contact withthe external cylindrical surface 35.

The conveying element 8, therefore, at the transferring zone T leavesthe further circular path P2 and moves along a portion Z of the circularpath P1.

Thus, the transferring element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 interact fora significantly long interval of time, during which a dose 80 can beproperly transferred from the transferring element 8 to the mouldingcavity 5.

Since the first coupling surface 33 and the second coupling surface 34remain in contact with the external cylindrical surface 35, thecontaining portion 22 is arranged above, and aligned with, the mouldingcavity 5, while the moulding cavity 5 and the handling element 20together travel along the portion Z.

This enables an optimum transfer of the dose 80 from the containingportion 22 to the moulding cavity 5, since the moulding cavity 5 acts asreference and centring element for the conveying element 8, assuringproper positioning of the handling element 20 with respect to themoulding cavity 5.

In addition, since the further supporting body 16 can rotate withrespect to the supporting body 15 and the supporting body 15 can moveradially with respect to the further carousel 7, while the spring 12forces said supporting body to move away from the further axis B, thecoupling element 32 can properly engage the moulding cavity 5 even ifthe position of the coupling element 32 and/or the position of themoulding cavity 5 differ—within certain limits—from those theoreticallyprovided.

What has been explained above, in addition to the shape of the “V” likeseat that engages the external cylindrical surface 35 and to theyielding in radial direction—allowed by the spring 12—of the conveyingelement 8, enables errors of synchronisation to be compensated betweenthe rotation speed of the carousel 2 and the rotation speed of thefurther carousel 7.

The external cylindrical surface 35 is subjected to mechanical machiningoperations, for example grinding, that assure such a high dimensionalprecision thereof that the moulding cavity 5 can optimally perform thefunction of becoming a reference and centring element for the conveyingelement 8.

When the coupling element 32 interacts with the external cylindricalsurface 35, the forming mould 3 is in the open configuration and themoulding cavity 5 is in the lower dead centre position of the strokethereof.

The moulding cavity 5 is moved by an actuating device provided with arod, to one end of which the moulding cavity 5 is fixed.

In the bottom dead point position, a major portion of said rod isaccommodated inside a guiding sleeve.

In the bottom dead point position, therefore, the moulding cavity 5 isprovided with high stiffness, which enables more accurate positioning ofthe handling element 20 to be obtained.

The moulding cavity 5, the coupling element 32 and the handling element20 can be configured in such a way that, when the coupling element 32interacts with the external cylindrical surface 35, an axis of thecontaining portion 22 is substantially coextensive with an axis of themoulding cavity 5.

In practice, the dose 80 can exhibit a slightly smaller diameter thanthe containing portion 22.

In this case, the dose 80 can rest on a portion of internal wall of thecontaining portion 22 and stay apart from a further portion of internalwall of the containing portion 22, opposite said portion of internalwall.

In other words, the dose 80 arranges itself inside the handling element20 so as to be asymmetrical with respect to the axis of the containingportion 22.

An adjusting arrangement 37 is provided enabling the coupling element 32to be moved with respect to the further supporting body 16, in such away that, when the coupling element 32 interacts with the externalcylindrical surface 35, an axis of the dose 80 (but not the axis of thecontaining portion 22) is substantially coextensive with an axis of themoulding cavity 5.

The adjusting arrangement 37 comprises a first adjusting arrangement 38,arranged for moving the coupling element 32 along an adjusting directionD1, shown in FIGS. 10, 32, 33 and 34, radially arranged with respect tothe further carousel 7, and a second adjusting arrangement 39, arrangedfor moving the coupling element 32 along a further adjusting directionD2, shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, transversally arranged with respect to thefurther carousel 7.

A slide 117 is provided, having a first portion 119 sliding inside agroove 118 obtained in the handling element 20 and a second portion 120provided with a further groove 140 inside which an appendage 141 of thecoupling element 32 is slidable.

The first adjusting arrangement 38 comprises a first eccentric cam pin123 having a shank 125 received into a seat 126 obtained inside theslide 117.

The first eccentric cam pin 123 moves the coupling element with respectto the slide 117, along the adjusting direction D1.

The first eccentric cam pin 123 may be rotated by means of a suitabletool insertable into a through hole 132 obtained in the coupling element32.

The first adjusting arrangement 38 further comprises a first clampingscrew 127 locking the coupling element 32 on the slide 117, once thecoupling element 32 has been arranged in a desired position with respectto the slide 117.

The first clamping screw 127 operates on a wedge element 142 receivedinto a hole 122 obtained in the coupling element 32, to press the wedgeelement 142 against a wall 143 of the further groove 140.

The second adjusting arrangement 39 comprises a second eccentric cam pin124 having a further shank received into a further seat obtained in thehandling element 20.

The second eccentric cam pin moves the slide 117 with respect to thehandling element 20, along the further adjusting direction D2.

The second eccentric cam pin 124 may be rotated by means of a propertool insertable into a further through hole 133 obtained in the slide117.

The second adjusting arrangement 39 further comprises a second clampingscrew 128 locking the slide 117 on the handling element 20, once theslide 117 has been arranged in a desired position with respect to thehandling element 20.

The second clamping screw 128 operates on a further wedge element 129received into a further hole 130 obtained in the slide 117, for pressingthe further wedge element 129 against a further wall 131 of the groove118.

While the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 continue to rotate, theconveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5, held mutually in contactby the spring 12 and the coupling element 32, arrive at an end zone ofthe portion Z.

At this end zone, the coupling element 32 disengages from the externalcylindrical surface 35.

The spring 12 returns the conveying element 8 to the maximum extentconfiguration E, so that the conveying element 8 leaves the circularpath P1 and moves again along the further circular path P2.

The conveying element 8 comprises elastic elements—received into a caseelement 76 shown in FIG. 4—interposed between the supporting body 15 andthe further supporting body 16 and arranged for rotating the furthersupporting body 16 around the further axis C, so as to move the furthersupporting body 16 from the further operating position O2 to theoperating position O1.

Further, the elastic elements hold the further supporting body 16 in theoperating position O1.

The conveying element 8 further comprises a damping element 77 shown inFIG. 15—for example a hydraulic damper—arranged for facilitating aproper repositioning of the further supporting body 16 in the operatingposition O1, preventing the further supporting body 16 from oscillatingaround the operating position O1.

With reference to FIGS. 36 to 56 there is shown a forming device 1 inwhich with the further supporting body 16 a connecting element 232 isassociated arranged for cooperating with a moulding cavity 5 in order tokeep the conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 mutuallyconnected along a portion of the trajectory defined by the mouldingcavity 5 during rotation of the carousel 2.

With reference to FIGS. 36 to 44, an embodiment of the connectingelement 232 is shown comprising a coupling element 160 fixed to thefurther supporting body 16.

The coupling element 160 comprises a seat 161 arranged for receiving aportion of the moulding cavity 5.

The coupling element 160 interacts with an external surface of themoulding cavity 5, for example an external cylindrical surface 35.

The coupling element 160 interacts with the external surface of themoulding cavity 5 for example in one, or two, contact points. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 38 and 40 the aforesaid contact pointscomprise a first contact point 174 and a second contact point 175. In afurther embodiment, which is not shown, the aforesaid contact points canbe defined by a revolving arrangement that interacts with the externalsurface of the moulding cavity 5 when the aforesaid portion is receivedin the seat 161, in such a way as to enable the connecting element 232to be correctly positioned with respect to the moulding cavity 5. Therevolving arrangement may comprise a revolving element (in the case of acontact point), or a pair of revolving elements (in the case of twocontact points), rotatably supported by the coupling element 160 andfacing the inside of the seat 161.

Still alternatively, the coupling element 161 may comprise a firstcoupling wall and a second coupling wall, mutually sloped to give theseat 161 a “V” shape, they being arranged to interact with the externalsurface of the moulding cavity 5.

In order to limit wear, each forming mould 3 can be provided with abody—for example ring-shaped—arranged for restingly receiving theconnecting element 232 and rotatably supported by the respectivemoulding cavities 5, in such a way that the connecting element 232 doesnot slide with respect to the aforesaid body during rotation of thecarousel 2 and of the further carousel 7. The aforesaid body, in factrotates together with the connecting element 232 with respect to themoulding cavity 5.

The aforesaid body can be shaped as a shaft, between the shaft and themoulding cavity 5 there being interposed rollers, or bearings, arrangedfor rolling on an external zone of the moulding cavity 5.

The connecting element 232 further comprises a first movable arm 162having a first end 166 hinged by a first pin 164 to the coupling element160 and a second movable arm 163 having a further first end 167 hingedby a second pin 165 to the coupling element 160.

In this way, the first movable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163oscillate with respect to the coupling element 160.

The first movable arm 162 further comprises a second end 168 oppositethe first end 166.

Similarly, the second movable arm 163 further comprises a further secondend 169 opposite the further first end 167.

A further revolving arrangement 170 can be further provided that isarranged for interacting with the external surface of the mouldingcavity 5.

The further revolving arrangement 170 may comprise a further firstrevolving element 171 rotatably supported on the second end 168 and afurther second revolving element 172 rotatably supported on the furthersecond end 169.

The coupling element 160, the first movable arm 162 and the secondmovable arm 163 give the connecting element 232 a pincer shape.

The connecting element 232 may assume a locking configuration W1, shownin FIGS. 39, 40, 41 and 42, in which the first movable arm 162 and thesecond movable arm 163 prevent the conveying element 8 and the mouldingcavity 5 moving way from one another whilst the carousel 2 and thefurther carousel 7 are rotated.

The connecting element 232 may further assume a release configurationW2, shown in FIGS. 37, 38, 43 and 44, in which the first movable arm 162and the second movable arm 163 enable the moulding cavity 5 to penetrateinside a receiving zone 173 defined by the seat 161, by the firstmovable arm 162 and by the second movable arm 163, and/or to exit thereceiving zone 173, whilst the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 arerotated.

The receiving zone 173 has an opening portion 176 arranged substantiallyradially with respect to the further carousel 7 and facing the outsideof the further carousel 7.

When the connecting element 232 is in the locking configuration W1, thefirst movable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163 assume a clampedposition K1 in which the second end 168 and the further second end 169are near one another, in such a way that the first movable arm 162 andthe second movable arm 163 partially surround the moulding cavity 5.

When the connecting element 232 is in the release configuration W2, thefirst movable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163 assume adivaricated position K2 in which the second end 168 and the furthersecond end 169 are further from one another.

Further, a driving device moves the first movable arm 162 and the secondmovable arm 163 from the clamped position K1 to the divaricated positionK2, and vice versa.

In addition, the connecting element 232 may comprise a lockingarrangement that maintains the first arm 262 and the second arm 263 inthe clamped position K1.

In an embodiment which is not shown, the connecting element 232comprises a movable arm, oscillating with respect to the couplingelement 160, and a fixed arm, firmly fixed to the coupling element 160.

With reference to FIGS. 45 to 51, an embodiment of the connectingelement 232 is shown, comprising a coupling element 260 fixed to thefurther supporting body 16.

The coupling element 260 comprises a first arm 262 and a second arm 263that define a seat 261 arranged for receiving a portion of the mouldingcavity 5. The seat 261 is “U”-shaped.

The seat 261 has an opening portion 276 arranged substantially radiallywith respect to the further carousel 7 and facing the outside of thefurther carousel 7.

The coupling element 260 interacts with an external surface of themoulding cavity 5, for example an external cylindrical surface 35.

The coupling element 260 interacts with the external surface of themoulding cavity 5 for example in one, or two, contact points. In theembodiment shown in detail in FIGS. 47 and 49 a single contact point isprovided that is defined by a revolving arrangement 180 that interactswith the external surface of the moulding cavity 5 when the aforesaidportion is received in the seat 261, in such a way as to enable correctpositioning of the connecting element 232 with respect to the mouldingcavity 5. The revolving arrangement 180 comprises a revolving element181 rotatably supported by the coupling element 260 and facing insidethe seat 261. In a further embodiment, which is not shown, the revolvingarrangement 180 comprises a pair of revolving elements.

Still alternatively, the coupling element 260 may comprise a firstcoupling wall and a second coupling wall, that are mutually sloped togive a zone of the seat 261 nearer the further supporting body 16 a “V”shape, being arranged to interact with the external surface of themoulding cavity 5. In this case, the first arm 262 may project from anend portion of the aforesaid first wall and the second arm 263 mayproject from an end portion of the aforesaid second wall.

The connecting element 232 comprises a retaining arrangement 184arranged for interacting with the moulding cavity 5 for maintaining themoulding cavity 5 in the seat 261 or for releasing the moulding cavity 5from the.

The first arm 262 is provided with a first end zone 182 and the secondarm 263 is provided with a second end zone 183.

The retaining arrangement 184 is associated with the first arm 262 andwith the second arm 263.

The retaining arrangement 184 comprises a first revolving body 185rotatably supported by the first end zone 182 and a second revolvingbody 186 rotatably supported by the second end zone 183, the firstrevolving body 185 and the second revolving body 186 being arranged forinteracting with the external surface of the moulding cavity 5.

The connecting element 232 may assume a locking configuration W3, shownin FIGS. 48, 49 and 50, in which the retaining arrangement 184 preventsthe conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 moving way from oneanother whilst the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 are rotated.

The connecting element 232 may assume further a release configurationW4, shown in FIGS. 46, 47 and 51, in which the retaining elements 184enable the moulding cavity 5 to penetrate inside the seat 261 and/or toexit the seat 261, whilst the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 arerotated.

When the connecting element 232 is in the locking configuration W3, theretaining arrangement 184 assumes an extended position K3, in which thefirst revolving body 185 and the second revolving body 186 projectinside the seat 261.

When the connecting element 232 is in the release configuration W4, theretaining arrangement 184 assumes a retracted position K4 in which thefirst revolving body 185 and the second revolving body 186 are at leastpartially received in cavities associated with the first arm 262 andwith the second arm 263, in such a way that at least a part thereof doesnot project inside the seat 261.

A driving device is further provided that moves the retainingarrangement 184 from the extended position K3 to the retracted positionK4, and vice versa.

In addition, the connecting element 232 may comprise a lockingarrangement that maintains the retaining arrangement 184 in the extendedposition K3.

The driving device may comprise elastic elements that maintains theretaining arrangement 184 in the extended position K3 (for examplesprings that act on pins by means of which the first revolving body 185and the second revolving body 186 are hinged on the first end zone 182and on the second end zone 183, respectively) and actuating devices (forexample pneumatic cylinders) that move the retaining arrangement 184,against the actions of the elastic elements, in the retracted positionK4.

Alternatively, the driving device may comprise elastic elements thatmaintain the retaining arrangement 184 in the retracted position K4 andactuating devices (for example pneumatic cylinders) that move theretaining arrangement 184, against the action of the elastic elements,in the extended position K3.

In this case, if an interruption to the power supply to the actuatingdevices occurs—for example through a suspension in the dispensing ofcompressed air—the connecting elements 232 release the cavities 5.

In other words, as the connecting elements 232 are normally in therelease configuration W4 and assume the locking configuration W3 onlywhen the actuating devices are actuated, the conveying element 8, in theevent of an emergency, is able to disengage from the respective mouldingcavities 5.

The coupling element 260 may comprise centring promoting elements, forexample arranged near the first end zone 182 and the second end zone183, which elements promote correct positioning of the moulding cavity 5with respect to the coupling element 260, before the retainingarrangement 184 is arranged in the extended position K3, i.e. before thefirst revolving body 185 and the second revolving body 186 interact withthe moulding cavity 5 to retain the aforesaid moulding cavity 5.

During operation, the carousel 2 rotates around the axis A, in such away that the forming moulds 3 supported by the carousel 2 advance in thedirection R1 along a circular path P1.

The further carousel 7 rotates around the further axis B, in such a waythat the conveying elements 8 supported by the further carousel 7advance in the further direction R2 along a further circular path P2.

The forming device 1 and the conveying device 6 are positioned in such away that the circular path P1 and the further circular path P2 intersectin a transferring zone T, shown in FIGS. 36, 39, 41, 45, 48 and 50, inwhich the doses are transferred from the conveying elements 8 to themoulding cavities 5.

In other words, the axis A and the further axis B are separated by adistance that is less than the sum of the radii of the circular path P1and of the further circular path P2.

During rotation of the carousel 2 and of the further carousel 7, aconveying device 8 that is located at an initial part of thetransferring zone T interacts with a corresponding moulding cavity 5.

In FIGS. 37 and 38, there is shown a first operating configuration A1 ofthe embodiment of the conveying device 6 disclosed with reference toFIGS. 37 to 44, in which the supporting body 15 moves towards thefurther axis B, whilst a moulding cavity 5 is received in the receivingzone 173 of the connecting element 232.

When the conveying device 6 is in the first operating configuration A1,the connecting element 232 is in the release configuration W2. The firstmovable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163 are in the divaricatedposition K2, in such a way that the moulding cavity 5 can be receivedbetween the first movable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163.

In FIGS. 39 and 40, there is shown a second operating configuration A2of the conveying device 6, in which the connecting element 232 is in thelocking configuration W1. The first movable arm 162 and the secondmovable arm 163 are in the clamped position K1, in such a way that themoulding cavity 5 is retained in the receiving zone 173.

In FIG. 41 and in FIG. 42 there are shown, respectively, a thirdoperating configuration A3 and a fourth operating configuration A4 ofthe conveying device 6, in which the connecting element 232 is in thelocking configuration W1. The first movable arm 162 and the secondmovable arm 163 are in the clamped position K1, in such a way that themoulding cavity 5 is retained in the receiving zone 173.

Whilst the conveying device 6 moves from the third operatingconfiguration A3 to the fourth operating configuration A4, the mouldingcavity 5 controls the movement of the conveying element 8, as theconnecting element 232 maintains the moulding cavity 5 and the conveyingelement 8 mutually hooked.

In particular, the moulding cavity 5 causes sliding (away) of thesupporting body 15 with respect to the further carousel 7 and anoscillation of the further supporting body 16 with respect to thesupporting body 15, as deducible from the comparison between FIGS. 41and 42.

In FIG. 43 there is shown a fifth operating configuration A5 of theconveying device 6, in which the connecting element is in the releaseconfiguration W2 and the moulding cavity 5 gets ready to leave thereceiving zone 173. The first movable arm 162 and the second movable arm163 are in the divaricated position K2, in such a way as not to preventthe moulding cavity 5 exiting the receiving zone 173.

In FIG. 44 there is shown a sixth operating configuration A6 of theconveying device 6, in which the connecting element is in the releaseconfiguration W2 and the moulding cavity 5 exits the receiving zone 173.The first movable arm 162 and the second movable arm 163 are in thedivaricated position K2.

Whilst the conveying device 6 assumes in succession the first operatingconfiguration A1, the second operating configuration A2, the thirdoperating configuration A3 and the fourth operating configuration A4,the moulding cavity 5, interacting with the conveying element 8, inducesthe supporting body 15 to move towards and away from the further axis B,and the further supporting body 16 to oscillate with respect to thesupporting body 15 to enable the connecting element 232 to maintain theconveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 mutually connected.

In this way, the conveying element 8, at the transferring zone T,abandons the further circular path P2 and moves along a portion Z of thecircular path P1.

Whilst the conveying device 6 assumes in succession the fifth operatingconfiguration A5 and the sixth operating configuration A6, theconnecting element 232 releases the moulding cavity 5. The supportingbody 15 moves towards the further axis B and the further supporting body16 oscillates with respect to the supporting body 15 to enable theconveying element 8 to move away from the moulding cavity 5. Theconveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 interact for asignificantly long interval of time, during which a dose can becorrectly transferred from the containing portion 22 of the conveyingelement 8 with the moulding cavity 5.

During the aforesaid interval of time, further, the receiving portion 21of the conveying element 8 can remove an object, for example a preform,that has been formed in the moulding cavity 5, as will be disclosed ingreater detail below.

As the connecting element 232 retains the moulding cavity 5, thecontaining portion 22 is arranged above, and aligned with, the mouldingcavity 5, whilst the moulding cavity 5 and the handling element 20 runalong the portion Z together.

This enables the dose to be transferred from the containing portion 22with the moulding cavity 5, in an optimum manner as the moulding cavity5 acts as a reference and centring element for the conveying element 8,ensuring correct positioning of the handling element 20 with respect tothe moulding cavity 5.

Further, as the further supporting body 16 may rotate with respect tothe supporting body 15 and the supporting body 15 can move radially withrespect to the further carousel 7, the connecting element 232 can engagecorrectly with the moulding cavity 5 even if the position of theconnecting element 232 and/or the position of the moulding cavity 5differ—within certain limits—from theoretically envisaged positions.

The above description, in addition to the form of the connecting element232 that engages the external surface of the moulding cavity 5, to thesliding in a radial direction of the supporting body 15 and to theoscillation of the further supporting body 16 with respect to thesupporting body 15, enables synchronisation errors between the rotationspeed of the carousel 2 and the rotation speed of the further carousel 7to be avoided.

The external surface of the moulding cavity 5 is subject to machinings,for example grinding, that ensure great dimensional precision, in such away that the moulding cavity 5 can perform in an optimal manner thefunction of reference and centring element for the conveying element 8.

When the connecting element 232 interacts with the external surface ofthe moulding cavity 5, the forming mould 3 is in the open configurationand the moulding cavity 5 is in a lower dead centre position of thestroke thereof.

The moulding cavity 5 is moved by a driving device provided with a stemat an end of which there is fixed the moulding cavity 5.

In the lower dead centre position, a prevalent portion of the aforesaidstem is received inside a guide sleeve.

In the lower dead centre position, therefore, the moulding cavity 5 isprovided with great stiffness, which enables more precise positioning ofthe handling element 20 to be obtained.

The moulding cavity 5, the connecting element 232 and the handlingelement 20 can be shaped in such a way that, when the connecting element232 interacts with the external surface of the moulding cavity 5, anaxis of the containing portion 22 substantially coincides with an axisof the moulding cavity 5.

In practice, the dose may have a slightly smaller diameter than thediameter of the containing portion 22.

In this case, the dose may rest on a portion of internal wall of thecontaining portion 22 and be spaced from a further portion of internalwall of the containing portion 22, opposite the aforesaid portion ofinternal wall.

In other words, the dose is arranged inside the handling element 20 insuch a way as to be asymmetrical with respect to the axis of thecontaining portion 22.

An adjusting arrangement is provided, for example of the type disclosedabove with reference to FIGS. 32 to 35, that enables the connectingelement 232 to be moved with respect to the further supporting body 16,in such a way that, when the connecting element 232 interacts with theexternal surface of the moulding cavity 5, an axis of the dose (and notthe axis of the containing portion 22) substantially coincides with anaxis of the moulding cavity 5.

The adjusting arrangement may comprise a first adjusting arrangementarranged for moving the connecting element 232 with respect to thefurther supporting body 16 along an adjusting direction arrangedradially with respect to the further carousel 7, and a second adjustingarrangement arranged for moving the connecting element 232 with respectto the further supporting body 16 in a further adjusting directionarranged transversely to the aforesaid adjusting direction.

In FIGS. 46 and 47, there is shown a first operating configuration B1 ofthe embodiment of the conveying device 6 disclosed with reference toFIGS. 45 to 51, in which the supporting body 15 moves towards thefurther axis B, whilst a moulding cavity 5 starts to penetrate the seat261 of the connecting element 232.

When the conveying device 6 is in the first operating configuration B1,the connecting element 232 is in the release configuration W4. Theretaining arrangement 184 is in the retracted position K4, in such a waythat the moulding cavity 5 can be received between the first arm 262 andthe second arm 263.

In FIGS. 48 and 49, there is shown a second operating configuration B2of the conveying device 6, in which the supporting body 15 moves awayfrom the further axis B in such a way that the moulding cavity 5 iscompletely received in the seat 261.

When the conveying device 6 is in the operating configuration B2, theconnecting element 232 is in the locking configuration W3. The retainingarrangement 184 is in the extended position K3, in such a way that themoulding cavity 5 is retained in the seat 261.

In FIG. 50 there is shown a third operating configuration B3 of theconveying device 6, in which the connecting element 232 is in thelocking configuration W3. The retaining arrangement 184 is in theextended position K3, in such a way that the moulding cavity 5 isretained in the seat 261.

In FIG. 51 there is shown a fourth operating configuration B4 of theconveying device 6, in which the connecting element is in the releaseconfiguration W4 and the moulding cavity 5 is exiting the seat 261. Theretaining arrangement 184 is in the retracted position K4, in such a wayas not to prevent the moulding cavity 5 exiting the seat 261.

The conveying device 6 comprises a controlling arrangement arranged forcontrolling the sliding of the supporting body 15 with respect to thefurther carousel 7.

The controlling arrangement may comprise elastic elements, for exampleinterposed between the further carousel 7 and the conveying element 8,that tends to move the conveying element 8 away from the furthercarousel 7—for example when the conveying device 6 assumes the firstoperating configuration A1, the second operating configuration A2 andthe third operating configuration A3, or the first operatingconfiguration B1 and the second operating configuration B2—to enable theconnecting element 232 to hook the moulding cavity 5, and subsequentlytends to move the conveying element 8 near the further carousel 7—forexample when the conveying device 6 assumes the sixth operatingconfiguration A6, or the fourth operating configuration B4—to enable theconnecting element 232 to disengage from the moulding cavity 5.

The controlling arrangement may also comprise a locking arrangementarranged for maintaining—if required—the conveying element 8 inintermediate positions with respect to a maximum extent position, inwhich the conveying element 8 is further from the further carousel 7,and to a minimum extent position, in which the conveying element 8 isnearer the further carousel 7, in particular before the conveyingelement 8 reaches the transferring zone T.

Alternatively, the controlling arrangement may comprise linear actuatingdevices.

In particular, the linear actuating devices make the conveying element 8interact with the moulding cavity 5 and not prevent the moulding cavity5 inducing the conveying element to travel along the portion Z once theconnecting element 232 has hooked the moulding cavity 5.

In particular, the linear actuating devices do not prevent the mouldingcavity 5 inducing the conveying element 8 to move away from the furthercarousel 7—for example when the conveying device 6 assumes the fourthoperating configuration A4, or the third operating configurationB3—whilst the conveying element 8 is maintained hooked to the mouldingcavity by the connecting element 232.

The linear actuating devices can be activated to move the conveyingelements 8 towards and away from the further axis B.

In particular, the linear actuating devices can move the conveyingelements 8 to the further axis B to prevent the connecting elements 232interfering with the moulding cavity 5 during a step of mutual movingtowards one another, i.e. when the conveying elements start to approachthe transferring zone T.

Subsequently, the linear actuating devices can be deactivated in such away as not to be opposed to the action of the moulding cavity 5which—hooked to the conveying element 8 by the connecting element232—commands the movement of the conveying element towards and away fromthe further axis B. In particular, the linear actuating devices do notprevent the moulding cavity 5 and the conveying element 8 remainingmutually connected whilst they together travel along a very long portionZ.

Still subsequently, after the connecting element 232 has released themoulding cavity 5, the linear actuating devices can be again activatedto move the conveying element 8 towards the further axis B.

The linear actuating devices can be of the pneumatic, electric or ofanother type.

The connecting element 232 enables an interval of time to be obtainedduring which a dose is transferred from the conveying element 8 to themoulding cavity 5, which is greater if the conveying element 8 and themoulding cavity 5 are maintained in reciprocal contact but are notmutually hooked.

In particular, owing to the connecting element 232 it is possible toobtain a more effective conveying device 6 than if the conveying device6 comprises an actuating element that, by acting on the conveyingelement 8, maintains the conveying element 8 in contact with themoulding cavity 5 and a coupling element that positions the conveyingelement 8 with respect to the moulding cavity 5, but does notreciprocally hook the conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5.

In an embodiment which is not shown, instead of the connecting element232 a magnetic connecting element can be provided. The magneticconnecting element can be associated with the conveying element 8, withthe moulding cavity 5, or with both.

The embodiments of the connecting element 232 shown in FIGS. 36 to 44and 45 to 51 are particularly effective inasmuch as the connectingelement 232 interacts substantially frontally with the moulding cavity 5to hook the moulding cavity 5.

This enables the connecting element 232 to be fitted more easily intothe moulding cavity 5, and the connecting element 5 to be disconnectedmore easily from the moulding cavity if an emergency condition arises,for example if there is an interruption to the electricity current thatentails a stop of the electric motor that rotates the further carousel7.

With reference to FIGS. 52 to 56, there is shown a conveying device 6comprising a plurality of conveying elements 8. In FIGS. 52 to 56 thereis shown a single conveying element 8 of the aforesaid plurality ofconveying elements.

Each conveying element 8 comprises a supporting body element 190rotatably supported by the further carousel 7 and a further supportingbody element 191 that is slidable with respect to the supporting bodyelement 190.

The further supporting body element 191 comprises a guiding rod element192 slidably received in holes 193 of the supporting body element 190.

The further supporting body element 191 comprises the handling element20.

With the further supporting body element 191 there is associated theconnecting element 232.

The connecting element 232 comprises a coupling element 360 associatedwith the further supporting body element 190.

The coupling element 360 comprises a seat 361 arranged for receiving aportion of the moulding cavity 5.

The coupling element 360 interacts with an external surface of themoulding cavity 5, for example an external cylindrical surface 35.

The coupling element 360 interacts with the external surface of themoulding cavity 5 for example in one, or two, contact points.

The connecting element 232 comprises a first revolving element 194 thatdefines a first contact point of the aforesaid contact points and asecond revolving element 195 that defines a second contact point of theaforesaid contact points.

The first revolving element 194 and the second revolving element 195 arerotatably supported by the coupling element 360 and face one anotherinside the seat 361.

The first revolving element 194 and the second revolving element 195interact with the external surface of the moulding cavity 5 when theaforesaid portion is received in the seat 161, in such a way as toenable correct positioning of the connecting element 232 with respect tothe moulding cavity 5.

The connecting element 232 further comprises a holding element 196movable towards and away from the coupling element 360.

The holding element 196 comprises an interaction portion 197 having acurved portion and arranged for partially surrounding the mouldingcavity 5.

The holding element 196 cooperates with the coupling element 360 todefine a receiving zone 373 arranged for receiving the moulding cavity5.

The receiving zone 373 has an opening portion 376 arranged substantiallycircumferentially with respect to the further carousel 7 and open in thefurther rotation direction R2.

The holding element 196 comprises an end portion 198 on which arevolving element 199 is rotatably supported that interacts with themoulding cavity 5 when the moulding cavity 5 is received in thereceiving zone 373.

The connecting element 232 may assume a locking configuration W5, shownin FIGS. 52 to 56, in which the holding element 196 and the couplingelement 360 prevent the conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5moving way from one another whilst the carousel 2 and the furthercarousel 7 are rotated.

The connecting element 232 may assume further a release configuration,which is not shown, in which the holding element 196 and the couplingelement 360 enable the moulding cavity 5 to penetrate inside thereceiving zone 373 and/or to exit the receiving zone 373, whilst thecarousel 2 and the further carousel 7 are rotated.

When the connecting element 232 is in the locking configuration W5, theholding element 196 assumes a closing position K5, in which the endportion 198 of the holding element 196 is nearer the coupling element360.

When the connecting element 232 is in the release configuration, theholding element 196 assumes an open position, in which the end portion198 of the holding element 196 is further from the coupling element 360.

Between the holding element 196 and the coupling element 360 an elasticelement 200 is interposed. The elastic element 200 can be so shaped asto maintain the holding element in the closing position K5.

A driving device can be further provided that moves the holding element196 from the closing position K5 to the open position, against theaction of the elastic element 200.

Instead of the elastic element 200, a pneumatic element can be provided.

Alternatively, the holding element can be moved from the closingposition K5 to the open position directly from the moulding cavity 5. Inparticular, the moulding cavity 5, interacting with the revolvingelement 199, can move the holding element 196 with respect to thecoupling element 360.

In addition, the connecting element 232 may comprise a lockingarrangement that maintains the holding element 196 in the closingposition K5.

Alternatively, the elastic element can be so shaped as to maintain theholding element 196 in the open position.

In this case driving devices can be provided that moves the holdingelement from the open position to the closing position K5.

In this embodiment, if an interruption to the supply to the drivingdevices occurs—for example through a suspension to the dispensing ofcompressed air or of electric energy—the connecting elements 232 releasethe cavities 5. This prevents the conveying element 8 remainingconnected to the respective moulding cavities 5 more than expected,causing damage to parts of the carousel 2 and/or the further carousel 7and the devices supported thereby.

In other words, in the event of an emergency, the conveying element 8 isable to disengage from the respective moulding cavities 5.

As shown in FIGS. 52 to 55, the holding element 196 is linearly movablewith respect to the coupling element 360 along a movement direction D1,shown in FIG. 53.

Guiding elements are provided, which are not shown, that guide theholding element 196 when the holding element 196 moves with respect tothe coupling element 360.

As shown in FIG. 56, the holding element 196 oscillates with respect tothe coupling element 360. In particular the holding element is rotatablearound a rotation axis AX in a rotation direction R1.

In FIGS. 52 and 54 there are shown, respectively, a first operatingconfiguration C1 and a second operating configuration C2 of theembodiment of the conveying device 6 disclosed with reference to FIGS.52 to 55, in which a moulding cavity 5 is retained in the receiving zone373 of the connecting element 232.

When the conveying device 6 is in the first operating configuration C1and in the second operating configuration C2, the connecting element 232is in the locking configuration W5.

In FIG. 55, there is shown a third operating configuration C3 of theconveying device 6, in which the connecting element 232 has disengagedfrom the moulding cavity 5.

The locking arrangement disclosed with reference to FIGS. 52 to 55 canalso be associated with a conveying device 6 disclosed with reference toFIGS. 36 to 51, i.e. with a conveying device 6 comprising a supportingbody 15 that is slidable with respect to the further carousel 7 and afurther supporting body 16 oscillating with respect to the supportingbody 15.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, with the further supporting body there isassociated a closing device 40 arranged for closing the inlet opening 27of the joining portion 23.

The closing device 40 comprises a closing element 41 fixed to an end 42of an arm 43 having a further end 44, opposite the end 42, hinged on thefurther supporting body 16.

The closing element 41 is movable between a closing position K, shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, in which the closing element 41 closes the inlet opening27, and an opening position, which is not shown, in which the closingelement 41 is far from the inlet opening 27.

In the closing position K, the closing element 41 does not come intocontact with the handling element 20 prevent surfaces of the closingelement 41 and of the handling element 20, being damaged by interactingmutually.

The closing device 40 further comprises a further elastic element, forexample a spring received into a case 45, holding the closing element 41in the closing position K.

The further elastic element provides a thrust that does not change theamount of the oscillation of the further supporting body 16 with respectto the supporting body 15, during operation.

The case 45 comprises a first end zone 49 hinged on the supporting body15 and a further end zone 50, opposite the end zone 49, hinged on aportion 51 of the arm 43.

The closing device 40 further comprises a revolving element 46 hinged onan appendage 47 of the arm 43 and co-operating with a cam element, whichis not shown, fixed to a frame of the conveying device 6.

The cam element is shaped so as to move the closing element from theclosing position K to the opening position, during the rotation of thefurther carousel 7, without producing modifications of the position ofthe supporting body 15 and the further supporting body 16.

Alternatively, the further elastic element can be so shaped as tomaintain the closing element 41 in the open position.

In this case, the cam element is so shaped as to move the closingelement 41 from the open position to the closing position K, duringrotation of the further carousel 7.

Sensor devices are provided for verifying whether the dose 80 wasentirely received inside the joining portion 23 and the containingportion 22 (i.e., said sensor devices verify whether the entire dose 80passed through the inlet opening 27) and, if this is the case, enablesthe closing element 41 to be moved from the open position to the closingposition K.

With the closing element 41 a dispensing device 48 is associated fordispensing a fluid, for example compressed air, into the joining portion23 and the containing portion 22, the dispensing device 48 beingsupplied by conduits, which are not shown.

When the closing element 41 is in the closing position K, the supplyingelement 48 introduces the fluid into the containing portion 22, abovethe dose 80 received therein, to promote the ejecting of the dose 80from the containing portion 22, through the exit opening 28.

Alternatively, inside the closing element 40 a movable ejecting elementcan be associated, commanded by the fluid, that acts directly on thedose 80 to eject the dose 80 from the containing portion 22.

The ejecting element may be so shaped as to profile an upper portion ofthe dose 80 in order to reduce, or even eliminate, the roughness of theupper portion of the dose 80 that has previously come into contact witha cutting knife that separated the dose 80 from the extruder.

The movable ejecting element may be so shaped as to produce, at one endof the dose with which said moving ejecting element interacts, a dip ofsuch a shape as to facilitate a first penetration of the punch, so thatthe punch can more easily centre itself with respect to the dose.

In other words, the punch, by engaging said dip, can more easilyposition the dose so that the axis of the dose is aligned with the axisof the moulding cavity.

Alternatively, the ejecting element may act on the dose 80 not directly,but indirectly, a fluid cushion being interposed between the ejectingelement and the upper portion of the dose 80.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 there is shown a driving device 52arranged for driving the first closing element 29 and the second closingelement 30 between the open configuration X and the closed configurationY.

The driving device 52 comprises a first actuator 53, for example apneumatic actuator, and a second actuator 54, for example a furtherpneumatic actuator, fixed to the further supporting body 16.

The first actuator 53 comprises a first stem 55, having one free end 56fixed to a first supporting element 57 to which the first closingelement 29 is connected.

The second actuator 54 comprises a second stem 58, having a further freeend 59 fixed to a second supporting element 60 to which the secondclosing element 30 is connected.

The first actuator 53 and the second actuator 54 move the first closingelement 29 and the second closing element 30 from the open position X tothe closed position Y, and vice versa.

The first actuator 53 and the second actuator 54 may be of thedouble-acting type.

The actuating device 52 comprises a bar 61 provided with a rack portion63 and having an end zone 62 connected to the first supporting element57.

The driving device 52 further comprises a further bar 64 provided with afurther rack portion 66 and having a further end zone 65 connected withthe second supporting element 60. The actuating device 52 furthercomprises a gear wheel 67 rotationally supported in idling manner by thefurther supporting body 16.

The bar 61 and the further bar 64 are arranged so that the rack portion63 and the further rack portion 66 are mutually faced and simultaneouslyengage the gear wheel 67.

The first stem 55 is arranged substantially parallel to the further bar64 and above the latter.

The second stem 58 is arranged substantially parallel to the bar 61 andabove the latter.

The driving device 52 moves the first closing element 29 and the secondclosing element 30 mutually away and towards one another by linearlytranslating moves the first closing element 29 and the second closingelement 30 along a movement direction F.

The driving device 52 mutually moves the first closing element 29 andthe second closing element 30 towards and away from one another on aplane substantially parallel to a further plane defined by the exitopening 28.

The driving device 52 moves the first closing element 29 and the secondclosing element 30, maintaining them mutually parallel.

In this way, the tip of the dose 80 is detached evenly from the firstclosing element 29 and from the second closing element 30.

The first closing element 29 and the second closing element 30, do nottherefore exert on the dose 80—in particular on the tip of the dose80—stress that tends to deform the dose.

The first closing element 29 and the second closing element move alongthe moving direction F in a simultaneous manner and covering a samedistance, owing to the rack portion 63, the further rack portion 66 andthe gear wheel 67, all acting as synchronising elements.

An adjusting arrangement 68 is further provided for adjusting theposition of the first closing element 29 and the second closing element30.

The adjusting arrangement 68 prevents the first closing element 29 andthe second closing element 30 from colliding with each other, whichcould cause damage.

The adjusting arrangement 68 comprises mechanical stroke limitingelements, each of which is provided with an adjusting screw and one ormore stop elements suitable for being positioned in a desired operatingconfiguration by means of the adjusting screw.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the conveying device 6 comprises a firstmovement device 69 and a second movement device 70 arranged for movingthe conveying elements 8.

Owing to requirements connected with the manufacturing cycle, or insituations of emergency occurring during operation, it may be necessaryto prevent the conveying elements 8 from interacting with the extruder,(or with the cutting devices that cut the plastics that exit adispensing nozzle of the extruder to give rise to the doses 80), in sucha way that the conveying elements 8 do not remove doses of plastics fromthe extruder. Similarly it may be necessary to prevent the conveyingelements 8 from interacting with the compression-moulding device 1, insuch a way that the conveying elements 8 do not deliver doses 80 ofplastics to the moulding cavities 5.

More generally, it may be the case that it is desired to prevent anyinteraction between the conveying device 6 and the compression-mouldingdevice 1.

In addition, it may be desirable for only some of the conveying elements8 to interact with the extruder and with the compression-moulding device1, whilst the remaining conveying elements are maintained in anon-operating position.

The first movement device 69 is positioned in a zone of the conveyingdevice 6 at which the conveying device 6 interacts with thecompression-moulding device 1, in such a way as to remove, if required,the conveying elements 8 from the carousel 2.

The second movement device 70 is positioned in a further zone of theconveying device 6 at which the conveying device 6 interacts with theextruder in such a way as to remove, if required, the conveying elements8 from the extruder.

The first movement device 69 and the second 70 comprise a plate 71 inwhich a groove 72 is obtained defining a cam profile.

The first movement device 69 and the second movement device furthercomprise actuating devices 73, for example pneumatic actuating devices,having a portion connected to the further carousel 7 and a furtherportion connected to the plate 71.

The actuating devices 73 move the plate 71 between an operatingposition, in which a revolving body 74, rotatably supported by thesupporting body 15, is received in the groove 72, and a rest position,in which the revolving body 74 does not interact with the groove 72.

Columns 75 are further provided that guide the plate 71 from theoperating position to the rest position, and vice versa.

In the operating position, the groove 72 leads the rolling body 74 totravel along a predetermined path.

The rolling body 74, therefore, by interacting with the groove 72,overcomes the force exerted by the spring 12 and leads the conveyingelement 8 to approach the further rotation axis B.

When the plate 71 lies in the operating position, a plurality ofrevolving bodies 74, associated with mutually adjacent conveyingelements 8, simultaneously engage the groove 72.

Consequently, the plate 71 simultaneously moves a group of successiveconveying elements 8.

Alternatively, each conveying element 8 may comprise, instead of thespring 12, a linear actuating device, pneumatic or of other type (forexample LinMot®), that on the one hand assures a substantially constantthrust on the conveying element 8, towards the exterior of the furthercarousel 7, irrespective of the radial position of the conveying element8, and on the other hand enables the conveying element 8 to be moved,irrespective of the other conveying elements 8, to remove said conveyingelement 8 from the maximum extent configuration E and move saidconveying element 8 closer to the further rotation axis B.

In this case, it is not necessary to provide the first movement device69 and the second movement device 70.

Referring to FIG. 19, an apparatus is shown for pressure forming dosesof plastics for obtaining objects, particularly container preforms, saidapparatus comprising an extruder 81, a conveying device 6 of the typedisclosed above, that removes doses of pasty plastics from the extruder81 and transfers said doses to a compression-moulding device 1, of thetype disclosed above.

The apparatus further comprises an extracting device 82, a thermalconditioning device 83, a removing device 84 and a conveying device 85.

The extracting device 82, the thermal conditioning device 83 and theremoving device 84 may each comprise a rotating carousel.

The extracting device 82 removes the objects from thecompression-moulding device 1 and delivers said objects to the thermalconditioning device 83 wherein said objects are thermally conditioned,for example cooled.

The removing device 84 removes the objects from the thermal conditioningdevice 83 and delivers the aforesaid objects to the conveying device 85,which discharges said objects.

In the conveying device 6 an angular sector a is identified forinserting the doses 80.

In the extracting device 82 an angular sector β is identified forremoving the finished products.

The extruder 81 cannot be moved with respect to the conveying device 6so as to adopt a position arranged more downstream with respect to thefurther rotating direction R2—i.e. the extruder 81 cannot be movedcloser to the angular sector a while being moved along the furtherrotating direction R2—in order not to prevent an operator accessing azone bound by the conveying device 6, by the extracting device 82 and bythe thermal conditioning device 83.

Referring to FIG. 20, an apparatus is shown for pressure forming dosesof plastics in order to obtain objects, particularly container preforms,said apparatus comprising an extruder 81, a compression-moulding device1, a thermal conditioning device 83, a removing device 84 and aconveying device 85 similar to those disclosed with reference to FIG.19.

The apparatus is provided with a conveying device 6 that removes thedoses of pasty plastics from the extruder 81 and transfers said doses toa compression-moulding device 1.

The conveying device 6 further removes the objects from thecompression-moulding device 1 and transfers the aforesaid objects to atransferring device 86, for example of carousel type.

Subsequently, the transferring device 86 supplies the objects to thethermal conditioning device 83.

An angular sector γ for inserting the doses 80 and removing the finishedproducts is defined in the conveying device 6.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the transferring device 86 may benot provided, in this case the conveying device 6 delivers the objectsdirectly to the thermal conditioning device 83.

This enables a structurally simpler apparatus to be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 12, the receiving portion 22 of theconveying elements 8 of the conveying device 6 is so shaped as toreceive and support an object.

The gap 24 of the receiving portion 22 may be so shaped as toefficiently receive and handle both a dose and an object, particularlyif such an object is a preform and, therefore, shows a remarkablesimilarity, as regards shape and dimensions, to a dose 80 designed forgiving rise to said preform.

While the preform is collected, the closing element 41, if present, liesin the closing position K.

Consequently, the closing element 41, properly shaped for the purpose,can act as supporting element supporting the preform from below.

The extruder 81 can adopt, with respect to the further rotationdirection R2, a position arranged further downstream than the positionadopted by the extruder 81 in the apparatus in FIG. 19.

In other words, it is possible to move the extruder 81, by moving theaforesaid extruder 81 along the further rotation direction R2, closer tothe angular sector γ, since the extruder, the extraction device 82 beingnot provided, does not prevent access to the conveying device 6.

Additionally, since the extruder is positioned further downstream thanthe further rotation direction R2, the doses remain inside the conveyingelements 8 for a shorter time than in the apparatus shown in FIG. 19.

This contributes to preventing the plastics from attaching themselves tothe walls of the conveying elements 8.

In addition, as the objects are removed by the compression-mouldingdevice 1 when the doses are inserted into the compression-mouldingdevice 1—and not before the doses are inserted into thecompression-moulding device 1—said doses (and the preforms originatingfrom said doses) remain on the compression-moulding device 1 for a timeinterval corresponding substantially to a complete rotation of thecarousel 2 around the axis A.

More time is thus provided than in the case of the apparatus shown inFIG. 19, during which time the object, after having been formed, cancool in such a way that the weight thereof is stabilised.

With reference to FIGS. 21 to 24, a handling element 20 is showncomprising a containing portion 22 provided with a guiding element 87arranged for directing the dose 80 towards the moulding cavity 5.

The guiding element 87 comprises a sleeve 88 received inside the cavity25.

The guiding element 87 is moving between a retracted position M, shownin FIGS. 21 and 22, in which the sleeve 88 is contained inside thecontaining portion 22, and an extended position N, shown in FIGS. 23 and24, in which the sleeve 88 is protruding through the exit opening 28,possibly beyond the first closing element 29 and the second closingelement 30, for delivering the dose 80 to the moulding cavity 5.

The guiding element 87 adopts the retracted position M when the firstclosing element 29 and the second closing element 30 are in the closedconfiguration Y.

The guiding element 87 adopts the extended position N when the firstclosing element 29 and the second closing element 30 are in the openconfiguration X.

The sleeve 88, by passing from the retracted position M to the extendedposition N, travels along a distance that can be equal to, or greaterthan, a thickness H of the first closing element 29 and the secondclosing element 30, said thickness being measured parallel to thefurther axis B.

The guiding element 87 comprises an annular projecting ridge 89 leadingaway from the sleeve 88 for being received into a housing 91 obtained inthe containing portion 22.

The annular projecting ridge 89 identifies inside the housing 91 a firstchamber 96 and a second chamber 97.

The first chamber 96 is supplied with an operating fluid, for examplecompressed air, through a duct 98.

The second chamber 97 is supplied with an operating fluid, for examplecompressed air, through a further duct 99.

During operation, when the guiding element 87 lies in the retractedposition M, the second chamber 97 is supplied with the operating fluid.

The annular projecting ridge 89 moves until the first rib 92 abutsagainst a reference surface 100 of the housing 91.

Thus the guiding element 87 passes from the retracted position M to theextended position N.

Subsequently, the first chamber 96 is supplied with the operating fluid.

The annular projecting ridge 89 moves until the second rib abuts againsta further reference surface 101 of the housing 91.

The operating fluid existing inside the second chamber 97 is dischargedthrough the further duct 99.

Thus, the guiding element 87 returns from the extended position N to theretracted position M.

Referring to FIGS. 25 to 31, a containing portion 22 is shown of ahandling element 20, said containing portion 22 being provided with asleeve 88 comprising a side wall 116 wherein a conduit arrangement 102is obtained arranged for conveying a cooling fluid.

A seat element 110, housing a sphere 111, is obtained in the sleeve 88.

A portion of the sphere 111 protrudes from the seat element 110 and isreceived into a groove obtained in the containing portion 22.

The sphere 111, thereby, enables the guiding element 87 to move betweenthe retracted position M and the extended position N, but prevents thesleeve 88 from rotating around a longitudinal axis E of the said sleeve88.

Below, two particular embodiments of the conduit arrangement 102 will bedisclosed by way of example, although other embodiments can be providedalternatively.

Below, two particular embodiments of the conduit arrangement 102 will bedisclosed by way of example, although other embodiments can be providedalternatively.

The conduit arrangement 102 further comprises a plurality of upperconduits 104, only one of which is shown in FIG. 28, circumferentiallyarranged next to one another.

Below, one of the lower conduits 103 will be disclosed in detail.

What has been affirmed with reference to said lower conduit 103 is to beunderstood to be also applicable to the other conduits 103 and the upperconduits 104.

The lower conduit 104 comprises a first pipe 105 and a second pipe 106,substantially rectilinear, extending substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis E.

The first pipe 105 and the second pipe 106 are connected by a third pipe107 having a curvilinear profile and extending substantiallycircumferentially with respect to the sleeve 88.

The lower conduit 104 further comprises a first tubular element 108,connected to the first pipe 105, through which first tubular element 108the cooling fluid is introduced into the lower conduit 104, and a secondtubular element 109, connected to the second pipe 106, through whichsecond tubular element 109 the cooling fluid is removed from the lowerconduit 104.

The first tubular element 108 and the second tubular element 109 arearranged substantially radially with respect to the sleeve 88.

As shown in FIG. 30, the first tubular element 108 faces a first chamber112 obtained in the containing portion 22.

The first chamber 112 is supplied with the cooling fluid through asupply conduit 113 and, in turn, supplies the first tubular element 108.

The first chamber 112 has an extension, measured parallel to thelongitudinal axis E, that is equal to, or greater than, the stroke thatthe guiding element 87 performs when moving from the retracted positionM to the extended position N.

Consequently, the first tubular element 108 faces the first chamber 112both when the guiding element 87 is in the retracted position M and whenthe guiding element is in the extended position N.

Further, the first tubular element 108 is held constantly in connectionwith the first chamber 112 while the guiding element 87 moves from theretracted position M to the extended position N, and vice versa.

As shown in FIG. 29, the second tubular element 109 opens into a secondchamber 114 obtained in the containing portion 22.

The second chamber 114 receives the cooling fluid from the secondtubular element 109. The cooling fluid is discharged from the secondchamber 114 through a discharging conduit 115.

The second chamber 114 has an extent, measured parallel to thelongitudinal axis E, that is equal to, or greater than, the stroke thatthe guiding element 87 covers when moving from the retracted position Mto the extended position N.

Consequently, the second tubular element 109 opens into the secondchamber 114 both when the guiding element 87 is in the retractedposition M and when the guiding element 87 is in the extended positionN.

Further, the second tubular element 109 is held constantly in connectionwith the second chamber 114, while the guiding element 87 moves from theretracted position M to the extended position N, and vice versa.

This enables the guiding element to be efficiently cooled at any momentof the operating cycle.

Referring to FIG. 31, the conduit arrangement 102 comprises a pluralityof conduits 150, only one of which is shown in FIG. 31, arrangedcircumferentially next to each other.

Below, one of the conduits 150 will be disclosed in detail.

What has been affirmed with reference to said conduit 150 is to beunderstood to be also suitable for being applied to the other conduits150.

The conduit 150 comprises a first portion of pipe 151, a second portionof pipe 152 and a third portion of pipe 153, substantially rectilinear,extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis E.

The first portion of pipe 151 and the third portion of pipe 153 aresubstantially mutually aligned.

The first portion of pipe 151 and the second portion of pipe 152 areconnected by a fourth portion of pipe 154 having a curvilinear profileand extending substantially circumferentially with respect to the sleeve88.

The second portion of pipe 152 and the third portion of pipe 153 areconnected by a fifth portion of pipe 155 having a curvilinear profileand extending substantially circumferentially with respect to the sleeve88.

The conduit 150 further comprises a further first tubular element 156,connected to the first portion of pipe 151, through which further firsttubular element 156 the cooling fluid is introduced into the conduit150, and a further second tubular element 157, connected to the thirdportion of pipe 153, through which further second tubular element 157the cooling fluid is removed from the conduit 150.

The further first tubular element 156 and the further second tubularelement 157 are arranged substantially radially with respect to thesleeve 88.

The further first tubular element 156 faces a further first chamber,which is not shown, obtained in the containing portion 22.

The further first chamber is supplied with the cooling fluid and, inturn, supplies the further first tubular element 156.

The further first chamber has an extent, measured parallel to thelongitudinal axis E, that is equal to, or greater than, the stroke thatthe guiding element 87 performs when moving from the retracted positionM to the extended position N.

Consequently, the further first tubular element 156 faces the furtherfirst chamber both when the guiding element 87 is in the retractedposition M and when the guiding element 87 is in the extended positionN.

Further, the further first tubular element 156 is maintained constantlyin connection with the further first chamber while the guiding element87 moves from the retracted position M to the extended position N, andvice versa.

The further second tubular element 157 faces a further second chamber,which is not shown, obtained in the containing portion 22.

The further second chamber receives the cooling fluid from the furthersecond tubular element 157 and discharges said cooling fluid.

The further second chamber has an extent, measured parallel to thelongitudinal axis E, that is equal to, or greater than, the stroke thatthe guiding element 87 performs when moving from the retracted positionM to the extended position N.

Consequently the further second tubular element 157 faces the furthersecond chamber both when the guiding element 87 is in the retractedposition M and when the guiding element 87 is in the extended positionN.

Further, the further second tubular element 157 is maintained constantlyin connection with the further second chamber, while the guiding element87 moves from the retracted position M to the extended position N, andvice versa.

This enables the guiding element to be efficiently cooled at any time ofthe operating cycle.

With reference to FIGS. 57 to 81, there is shown a forming device 1 forcompression-moulding doses of plastics comprising a carousel 2 rotatablearound a rotation axis A, in a direction R1, and supporting a pluralityof forming moulds 3. The forming moulds 3 are positioned in a peripheralzone of the carousel 2 and are so arranged as to be substantiallyangularly equidistant.

Each forming mould 3 comprises a moulding cavity 5 and a punch 305 thatare reciprocally movable. The forming mould 3 may assume an openconfiguration Z1, shown in FIGS. 76 to 78, in which the moulding cavity5 and the punch are mutually spaced apart from one another in such a waythat a dose 80 of plastics is inserted into the moulding cavity 5 and aformed object, for example a container preform 300, is removed from theforming mould 3, and a closed configuration Z2, shown in FIGS. 72 and73, in which the punch 305 penetrates inside the moulding cavity 5 toshape the dose 80.

In an embodiment which is not shown, the forming device 1 comprises,instead of the carousel 2, a movement and supporting element for movingand supporting the forming moulds 3 provided with a flexible element,for example a belt or chain element, travelling along a closed looppath.

Cutting devices are further provided, which are not shown, that cut theplastics exiting a distributing nozzle of an extruder in order to giverise to the doses 80. The cutting devices may comprise one or morecutting elements, and one or more contrasting elements acting asabutting elements for the plastics and preventing a cutting element,after a dose was separated from the plastics exiting the distributingnozzle, from moving the same dose away from a delivery zone. A conveyingdevice 6 is further provided that receives the doses 80, separated bysaid cutting devices from the distributing nozzle, and delivers thedoses 80 to the forming device 1.

In an embodiment that is not shown, instead of the forming device 1, arotating operating device is provided, on the periphery of which aplurality of seats are provided.

In this case, the conveying device 6 can deliver objects to said seats,or can remove objects from said seats.

Similarly to what has been disclosed with reference to FIG. 20, theconveying device 6 is arranged for delivering doses of plastics 80 tothe compression-moulding device and for removing objects, in particularthe container preforms 300, from the compression-moulding device 1.

The conveying device 6 comprises a first rotating body 301 that supportsa plurality of conveying elements 8 arranged for delivering the doses 80to the compression-moulding device 1 and a second rotating body 302 thatsupports a plurality of removing elements 303 arranged for removing thecontainer preforms 300 from the compression-moulding device 1. Theconveying elements 8 are positioned in a peripheral zone of the firstrotating body 301 and are so arranged as to be substantially angularlyequidistant. The removing elements 303 are positioned in a peripheralzone of the second rotating body 302 and are so arranged as to besubstantially angularly equidistant. The removing elements 303 receivethe container preforms 300 from glue forming arrangement 304 with whichthe forming moulds 3 of the compression-moulding device 1 are provided.The glue forming arrangement 304 comprises a pair of half moulds thatare mutually movable towards and away from one another. The glue formingarrangement 304 forms a glue zone of the container preforms 300, forexample provided with a threaded portion, and retains the containerpreforms 300 after forming.

The first rotating body 301 and the second rotating body 302 aremutually operationally associated in such a way that, during operationof the conveying device 6, the first rotating body 301 and the secondrotating body 302 rotate together, at the same rotation speed, aroundthe same rotation axis B, in a rotation direction R2. The first rotatingbody 301 is arranged, along the rotation axis B, at a height that isless than the second rotating body 302.

The first rotating body 301 and the second rotating body 302 are soshaped as to be able to be rotated independently of one another duringadjustment and/or maintenance operations on the conveying device 6.

The first rotating body 301 and the second rotating body 302 arepositioned in such a way that a removing element 303 corresponds to eachconveying element 8. During operation, whilst the conveying element 8delivers a dose 80 to a moulding cavity 5 of a forming mould 3, thecorresponding removing element 303 removes a container preform 300 fromthe glue forming arrangement 304 of the aforesaid forming mould 3.

In an embodiment which is not shown, the conveying device 6 comprises,instead of the first rotating body 301 and of the second rotating body302, movement and supporting elements of the conveying elements 8 and ofthe removing elements 303 provided with flexible elements, for examplebelt or chain elements, which are movable along a closed loop path.

Each conveying element 8 comprises a pair of guiding rods 10 received inholes of the first rotating body 301.

The holes may house spherical circulating bushes.

Each conveying element 8 is fixed to a linear actuator 371 for example apneumatic actuator, that moves the rotating element towards and awayfrom the rotation axis B. In particular, the linear actuator 371maintains the conveying element 8 in a maximum extent configuration E,shown in FIG. 64, in which the guiding rods 10 extend by a maximumamount outside the holes.

The maximum extent configuration E is determined by end stroke elementsassociated with the guiding rods 10.

The conveying element 8 comprises a supporting body 15, to which theguiding rods 10 are fixed, which is radially movable with respect to thefirst rotating body 301, towards and away from the rotation axis B.

The conveying element 8 further comprises a further supporting body 16rotatably supported on the supporting body 15.

The supporting body 15 is covered by a hole 17 inside which a shank 18of the further supporting body 15 is received. Between the hole 17 andthe shank 18 bearings 19 are interposed that enable the furthersupporting body 16 to oscillate with respect to the supporting body 15.

The further supporting body 16 comprises a handling element providedwith a receiving portion 321, arranged for receiving a dose 80 that theaforesaid cutting devices have separated from the dispensing nozzle, ofa containing portion 322, arranged for containing the dose 80 and forgiving the dose 80 a desired shape, and with a joining portion 323,interposed between the receiving portion 321 and the containing portion322 and arranged for promoting the transferring of the dose 80 from thereceiving portion 321 to the containing portion 322.

The joining portion 323 and the containing portion 322 cooperate todefine a tubular body 308, the receiving portion 321 being hinged on thefurther body 16 in such a way as to be movable with respect to thetubular body 308.

The receiving portion 321 comprises a base 306 from which a wall 307leads away—which is “C”-shaped or “U”-shaped—that bounds a gap 24 thatis open in the rotation direction R2 and is generally shaped like areversed truncated cone, i.e. having a decreasing section approachingthe containing joining portion 323.

The containing portion 322 is internally provided with a recess 25 witha substantially cylindrical shape.

The joining portion 323 is internally provided with a further recess 26shaped like a reversed truncated cone, i.e. having a decreasing sectionapproaching the containing portion 322. In other words, the joiningportion 323 is funnel-shaped to facilitate the insertion of the dose 80in the containing portion 322.

The joining portion 323 is provided with an inlet opening 27 throughwhich the dose 80, removed by the extruder (or from the aforesaidcutting devices that cut the plastics that exit a dispensing nozzle ofthe extruder to give rise to the doses 80) from the receiving portion321, penetrates inside the joining portion 323.

The containing portion 322 is provided with an exit opening throughwhich the dose 80 is delivered to a moulding cavity 5.

A thermoregulating arrangement is provided arranged for regulating thetemperature of the handling element 20, in order to prevent the plasticsfrom involuntarily adhering to the surfaces designed to come intocontact with the doses.

The thermoregulating arrangement may comprise a cooling conduitarrangement obtained in the handling element 20 and supplied with acooling liquid.

A first closing element 29 and a second closing element 30 are furtherassociated with the exit opening 28 and are movable between an openconfiguration X, shown in FIG. 81, in which the first closing element 29and the second closing element 30 enable the dose 80 to pass through theexit opening 28, and a closed configuration Y, shown in FIG. 79, inwhich the first closing element 29 and the second closing element 30prevent the dose 80 passing through the exit opening 28.

The first closing element 29 and the second closing element 30 comprisea shaped portion 31 arranged for giving the tip of the dose 80 a desiredshape.

The first closing element 29 and the second closing element are drivenbetween the open configuration X and the closed configuration Y by adriving device, for example by a driving device 52 of the type disclosedwith reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

The receiving portion 321 is movable with respect to the tubular body308 between a closing position H1, shown in FIGS. 76 to 81, in which thebase 306 closes the inlet opening 27, and an opening position H2, shownin FIGS. 74 and 75, in which the base 306 is far from the inlet opening27.

On the receiving portion 321 a revolving element 309 is hinged thatcooperates with a cam element 310 fixed to a frame of the conveyingdevice 6.

The cam element 310 is so shaped as to move the receiving portion 321from the opening position H2 to the closing position H1, for example byovercoming the thrust that tends to maintain the receiving portion 321in the opening position H2, during rotation of the first rotating body301, without causing alterations to the position of the supporting body15 and of the further supporting body 16.

The base 306 is travelled along by a conduit 311 that leads into anopening 312 arranged at a face 313 of the base 306 facing the tubularbody 308.

The conduit 311 is arranged for dispensing a fluid, for examplecompressed air, into the joining portion 323 and the containing portion322, to promote the ejection of the dose 80 from the containing portion322.

With reference to FIGS. 74 to 81 successive steps of a work cycle areshown.

In a first step of the work cycle, shown in FIG. 74, the receivingportion 321 is in the opening position H2 in which the gap 24 issubstantially coaxial with the recess 25.

The receiving portion 321 receives a dose 80 from the extruder.

In a successive step of the work cycle, shown in FIG. 75, the dose 80descends into the tubular body 308 until coming into contact with thefirst closing element 29 and with the second closing element 30 that arein the closed configuration Y. The receiving portion 321 is in theopening position H2.

In a successive step of the work cycle, shown in FIGS. 76 and 79, thereceiving portion 321 moves from the opening position H2 to the closingposition H1 in which, as shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the receiving portion321 is more advanced than the tubular body 308 in the direction R2.Initially, compressed air is not dispensed through the conduit 311.Subsequently, whilst the tubular body 308—in the manner that will bedisclosed in greater detail below—is maintained superimposed on andsubstantially aligned with a moulding cavity 5 into which the dose 80has to be inserted, compressed air is dispensed—at a first pressurelevel—into the recess 25.

The compressed air fills the cavities defined between the dose 80 andthe recess 25 in such a way as to form a cushion of fluid arrangedabove—and partially also laterally—with respect to the dose 80.

Simultaneously, the first closing element 29 and the second closingelement 30 start to move from the closed configuration Y to the openconfiguration X.

In a successive step of the work cycle, shown in FIGS. 77 and 80, whilstthe first closing device 29 and the second closing device 30 continue tomove to the open configuration X, compressed air is dispensed—at asecond pressure level—into the recess 25, the aforesaid second pressurelevel being greater than the first pressure level.

The greater air pressure enables the dose 80 to be transferred rapidlyfrom the recess 25 to the moulding cavity 5. The cushion of fluid formedby the air at lower pressure enables the stress exerted on the dose 80of the jet of greater air pressure to be made uniform.

If the dose is subjected to a jet of greater air pressure without theair at lower pressure first having been inserted into the recess, theaforesaid jet of greater air pressure could move or deviate the dose 80,causing the dose 80 to interact with the walls of the recess 25 andprevent a correct transfer thereof into the moulding cavity 5.

In a successive step of the work cycle, shown in FIGS. 78 and 81, thedose 80 has reached the moulding cavity 5.

The receiving portion 321 is maintained in the closing position H1.Compressed air is not dispensed through the conduit 311.

During the steps of the operating cycle that are disclosed above, thereceiving portion 321, by moving from the opening position H2 to theclosing position H1, removes from an upper surface 314 of the tubularbody 8 possible residues of plastics, such as portions of doses 80 thathave not been correctly transferred into the recess 25. The aforesaidresidues of plastics, if they have not been removed, and eliminated,could become fixed to the preform 300 which, substantiallysimultaneously to the insertion of the dose 80, is removed from theforming mould 3, as deducible from FIGS. 76 to 78, in the manner thatwill be disclosed in greater detail below.

Further, the receiving portion 321, when in the closing position H1,does not interact with the preform 300 during removal of the latter fromthe compression forming mould 3.

In other words, when the receiving portion 321 is in the closingposition H1, only the base 306 (that has a very small thickness) and notalso the wall 307 (which has a much greater thickness than that of thebase 306) is aligned on the punch 305 and arranged below the preform300. This enables ample space to be obtained below the punch 305 forextracting the preform from the glue forming arrangement 304. If, on theother hand, the receiving portion 321 is in the opening position H2, thewall 307—aligned with the punch 305—would hinder or even prevent theextraction of the preform from the glue forming arrangement 304.

It is possible to envisage that the containing portion 321 may bearranged in a position in which the containing portion 321 is still moreadvanced with respect to the tubular body 308 than what occurs inclosing position H1. This enables the aforesaid residues of plastics tobe moved still further from a zone of the upper surface 313 nearer theinlet opening 27.

In situations that are different from normal operation, it may benecessary for the conveying device 6 to stop supplying the mouldingcavities 5 with doses 80, but to continue removing the already formedpreforms 300 from the forming moulds 3, in such a way as to empty thecompression-moulding device 1.

As the number of conveying elements 8 is less than the number of formingmoulds 3, in order to empty all the forming moulds some revolutions ofthe conveying device are necessary, for example 3 to 4 revolutions.

During each of the aforesaid revolutions, all the receiving portions 321pass from the opening position H2 to the closing position H1, and thenreturn to the opening position H2. If portions of partially solidifiedplastics were stuck to the upper surface 313 the receiving portions 321,moving from the opening position H2 to the closing position H1, or viceversa, would interact with the aforesaid portions of partiallysolidified plastics and would consequently be subjected to stress suchas to cause possible breakage of the receiving portions 321.

Therefore all the receiving portions 321, whilst the forming moulds 3are being emptied from the preform 300 by means of the removing elements303, can be maintained in the closing position H1.

For this purpose, there is provided a control device 315 comprising aplate 316, for example a substantially circular section, mounted on thefirst rotating body 301. An actuator is provided, for example apneumatic actuator, that rotates the plate 316 with respect to the firstrotating body 301, in such a way that the plate 316 can be arranged in afirst operating configuration or in a second operating configuration,that will be disclosed in greater detail below. The plate 316 isprovided with grooves 317, arranged substantially radially, beingmovable as a slide 318 inside each groove.

The number of grooves 317 is the same as the number of the conveyingelements 8.

On each slide 318 an end of a rod 319 is hinged having a further end,opposite the aforesaid end, hinged on a zone of a correspondingreceiving portion 321.

During normal operation of the conveying device 6, the plate 316 isarranged in the first operating position. When the rotating body 301 isrotated, the revolving elements 310 cooperating with the cam element 309remove, one after the other, the receiving portions 321 from the openingposition H2 to the closing position H1. In this case, the grooves 317enable the slides 318 to slide with respect to the plate 316.

In the situations that are different from normal operation of theconveying device 6 mentioned above, the actuator rotates the plate 16 ina driving direction R3 opposite the direction R2. The plate 316 is,therefore, arranged in the second operating position. When the plate 316is moved from the first operating position to the second operatingposition, the slides 318 received in the grooves 317 are rotated in thedirection R3 and, by means of the rods 319, cause each of the receivingportions 321 to rotate with respect to a corresponding tubular body 308.

With each further supporting body 16 there is associated a connectingelement 460 arranged for engaging a moulding cavity 5, as will bedisclosed in greater detail below.

The connecting element 460 is shaped as a gripper and is intended tointeract with a corresponding moulding cavity 5. Each moulding cavity 5is externally provided with a revolving element 326 which is shaped likea ring rotatably supported on a body 327 of the moulding cavity 5.

Between the revolving element 326 and the body 327 rollers 329 areinterposed that enable the revolving element 326 to rotate with respectto the body 327. The rollers 329 can be equally spaced apart from oneanother by a suitable transferring cage.

The connecting element 460 comprises an abutting element 328—for examplea roller rotatably supported by a framework of the coupling element—anda first arm 324 and a second arm 325 hinged on the aforesaid framework.

On an end of the first arm 324 a first roller 330 is rotatablysupported.

At an end of the second arm 325 a second roller 331 is rotatablysupported.

The first roller 330 and the second roller 331 are arranged for beingreceived in gaps 332 obtained in an external surface of the revolvingelement 326.

A positioning device is provided, which is not shown, that positions therevolving element 326 in such a way that a first gap 322 intended forreceiving the first roller 330 and a second gap 322 intended forreceiving the second roller 331 are arranged near the first roller 330and the second roller 331 so as to promote the grip on the mouldingcavity 5 by the first arm 324 and by the second arm 325.

The first arm 324 and the second arm 325 are mutually connected by aconnecting rod 333, in such a way that the first arm 324 and the secondarm 325 rotate, in opposite directions, with respect to the aforesaidframework.

An elastic arrangement is provided, for example a spring, that tends tomaintain the connecting element 460 in a closed configuration.

During operation, the carousel 2 rotates around the rotation axis A insuch a way that the forming moulds 3 supported thereby advance in thedirection R1 along a circular path P1.

The first rotating body 301 rotates around the axis B, in such a waythat the transferring elements 8 supported thereby—maintained in themaximum extent configuration E by the linear actuator 371—advance in thefurther direction R2 along a further circular path P2.

The forming device 1 and the conveying device 6 are positioned in such away that the circular path P1 and the further circular path P2 intersectin a transferring zone T, shown in FIG. 57, in which the doses 80 aretransferred by the conveying elements 8 to the moulding cavities 5.

In other words, the rotation axis A and the rotation axis B areseparated by a distance that is less than the sum of the radii of thecircular path P1 and of the further circular path P2.

During rotation of the carousel 2 and of the further carousel 7, aconveying device 8, which is at an initial part of the transferring zoneT, interacts with a corresponding forming mould 3.

The moulding cavity 5, by interacting with the first roller 330 and withthe second roller 331 tends to move the first arm 324 and the second arm325 away from one another. In other words, the moulding cavity 5 tendsto open the connecting element 460.

The abutting element 328 engages with an external cylindrical surface ofthe revolving element 326, whilst the first roller 330 and the secondroller 331 are received in respective gaps 332.

Whilst the carousel 2 and the further carousel 7 continue to rotate, themoulding cavity 5 makes the conveying element 8 move from the maximumextent configuration E and move towards the rotation axis B.

The supporting body 15 moves radially with respect to the furthercarousel 7, whilst the guiding rods 10 are partially received insideholes 11, the thrust exerted on the supporting body 15 by the linearactuator 371 being overcome by the force exerted by the moulding cavity5 on the connecting element 460.

The further supporting body 16 rotates with respect to the supportingbody 15, whilst the connecting element 460 maintains the conveyingelement 8 and the moulding cavity 5 connected.

The conveying element 8, therefore, at the transferring zone T, abandonsthe further circular path P2 and moves along a portion Z of the circularpath P1.

In this way, the transferring element 8 and the moulding cavity 5interact for a significantly long interval of time, during which a dose80 can be correctly transferred from the transferring element 8 to themoulding cavity 5.

As the abutting element 328 is in contact with the revolving element 326and the first roller 330 and the second roller 331 are received insidethe seats 332, the containing portion 322 is arranged above, and alignedwith, the moulding cavity 5, whilst the moulding cavity 5 and thehandling element 20 together travel along the portion Z.

This enables excellent transferring of the dose 80 from the containingportion 322 with the moulding cavity 5 to be achieved, as the mouldingcavity 5 acts as a reference and centring element for the conveyingelement 8, ensuring correct positioning of the handling element 20 withrespect to the moulding cavity 5.

Further, as the further supporting body 16 can rotate with respect tothe supporting body 15 and the supporting body 15 may move radially withrespect to the first rotating body 301, whilst the linear actuator 371makes the further supporting body 16 move away from the axis B, theconnecting element 460 can engage correctly with the moulding cavity 5even if the position of the connecting element 460 and/or the positionof the moulding cavity 5 differ—within certain limits—from theoreticallyenvisaged positions.

When the connecting element 460 interacts with the revolving element326, the forming mould 3 is in the open configuration and the mouldingcavity 5 is in a lower dead point position of the stroke thereof.

The moulding cavity 5 is moved by a driving device provided with a stemat an end of which there is fixed the moulding cavity 5.

In the lower dead centre position, a prevalent portion of the aforesaidstem is received inside a guide sleeve.

In the lower dead centre position, therefore, the moulding cavity 5 isprovided with great stiffness, which enables more precise positioning ofthe handling element 20 to be obtained.

The moulding cavity 5, the connecting element 460 and the containingportion 322 can be shaped in such a way that, when the connectingelement 460 interacts with the revolving element 326, an axis of thecontaining portion 322 substantially coincides with an axis of themoulding cavity 5.

An adjusting arrangement is provided, for example an adjustingarrangement 37 of the type shown with reference to FIGS. 32 to 35, thatenables the connecting element 460 to be moved with respect to thefurther supporting body 16, in such a way that, when the connectingelement 460 interacts with the revolving element 326, an axis of thedose 80 (and not the axis of the containing portion 322) substantiallycoincides with an axis of the moulding cavity 5.

Whilst the carousel 2 and the first rotating body 301 continue torotate, the conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5, which aremaintained in reciprocal contact by the connecting element 460, reach aterminal zone of the portion Z.

At this terminal zone, the connecting element 460 disengages from therevolving element 326.

The linear actuator 371 returns the conveying element 8 to the maximumextent configuration E, in such a way that the conveying element 8abandons the circular path P1 and again travels along the furthercircular path P2.

On a further end of the first arm 324 a wheel 334 is hinged that isarranged for interacting with a cam body 335 fixed to a framework of theconveying device 6.

The wheel 334 and the cam body 335 (together with the connecting rod 333that connects the first arm 324 and the second arm 325) define a lockingdevice that maintains the first arm 324 and the second arm 325 clampedon the moulding cavity.

The aforesaid locking device can act during normal operation of theconveying device 6 or only in the event of an emergency.

The connecting elements 460 enable further correct positioning of theremoving elements 303 with respect to the punches 305 and the glueforming arrangement 304 from which they have to remove the preforms 300.

Each removing element 303 comprises a first supporting body 336 that isslidable along guide bars 337 fixed to the second rotating body 302. Theguide bars 337 are arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axisB, i.e. substantially along a vertical direction.

The first supporting body 336 comprises an arm 340 on which a firstwheel 338 is rotatably supported, engaging in a first cam 339. The firstcam 339 is shaped as a groove obtained in a head 341 of the conveyingdevice 6 and is arranged for receiving the first wheel 338. The head 341is maintained in a fixed position when the second rotating body 302 isrotated. The first wheel 338, engaging the first cam 339, controls amovement of the first supporting body 338 along the rotation axis B.

In an adjusting and fine tuning step that precedes normal operation, theconveying elements 8—and, consequently, the removing elements 303—haveto be phased with respect to the moulding cavities 5, i.e. also forobtaining a repeatable correct correspondence between the variousmoulding cavities 5.

The head 341 is movable, in a substantially vertical direction, alongthe rotation axis B, between an operating position, in which the firstcam 339, interacting with the first wheels 338, guides the removingelements 303 to make them interact with the preforms 300 during normaloperation, and a service position, in which the removing elements 303are so positioned as not to interfere with the punches 305 of the moulds3 to enable adjusting and fine tuning to be performed.

In particular, the removing elements 303 are positioned at a greaterheight when they are in an operating position and at a lesser heightwhen they are in the service position.

Once adjusting and fine tuning have been performed, the head 341 can bemoved from the service position (i.e. from the lowered position) to theoperating position (i.e. to the raised position) when the secondrotating body 302 is rotated. This variation of position can also beachieved whilst operation occurs dynamically at increasing rotationspeed.

During lifting of the head 341, as the first rotating body 301 and thesecond rotating body 302 have been phased with respect to the carousel2, the risk is avoided that each removing element 303 interferes with acorresponding punch 305.

The removing element 303 further comprises a second supporting body 342that is supported by the first supporting body 336 and is slidable withrespect to the first supporting body 336. The second supporting body 342comprises further guide bars 343 that are slidably received in holes ofthe first supporting body 336. The second supporting body 342 is movablesubstantially radially with respect to the second rotating body 302.From the second supporting body 342 a rod 344 leads away at an edge ofwhich a second wheel 345 is rotatably hinged, engaging a second cam 346.

The second cam 346 is shaped as a groove obtained in a fixed plate 347of the conveying device 6 and arranged for receiving the second wheel345. The second wheel 345, engaging with the second cam 346, controlssliding of the second supporting body 342 with respect to the firstsupporting body 336.

The removing element 303 further comprises a third supporting body 348supported by the second supporting body 342 and rotatable with respectto the second supporting body 342. The third supporting body 348comprises a pin 350 rotatably received in a seat 351 of the secondsupporting body 342. From the third supporting body 348 a further rod352 leads away at an end of which a third wheel 353 engaging in a thirdcam 354 is rotatably supported.

The third cam 354 is shaped as a groove obtained in the plate 347 and isarranged for receiving the third wheel 353. The third wheel 353, byengaging with the third cam 354, rotates a third supporting body 348with respect to the second supporting body 342.

The removing element 303 further comprises a gripping element 355supported by the third supporting element 348 and arranged for removingthe preforms 300 from the forming mould 3 and for delivering thepreforms 300 to a transferring device, for example of the transferringdevice 86 type disclosed with reference to FIG. 20.

The gripping element 355 comprises a sleeve 356 inside which a stillfurther rod 357 is achieved at an end of which a fourth wheel 358 isrotatably supported, engaging in a fourth cam 359. The fourth cam 359 isshaped as a groove obtained in a further plate 370 of the conveyingdevice 6 and is arranged for receiving the fourth wheel 358. The fourthwheel 358, engaging with the fourth cam 359, controls the opening andthe closure of a holding element of the gripping element 355.

During operation, after the connecting element 460 has mutuallyconnected the conveying element 8 and the moulding cavity 5 in thepreviously disclosed manner, whilst a conveying element 8 deposits adose 80 inside a moulding cavity 5 of a forming mould 3, a removingelement 303—corresponding to the aforesaid conveying element 8—removes apreform 300 from a punch 305 of the forming mould 3.

The gripping element 355 is positioned on the preform 300 by the firstwheel 338 and the first cam 339, the second wheel 345 and the second cam346, the third wheel 353 and the third cam 354.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 76, whilst the glue forming arrangement304 moves along the rotation axis A to remove the preform 300 from thepunch 305, the gripping element 355 surrounds the preform 300.

Subsequently, the gripping element 355 clamps the preform 300 before thepreform 300 is released by the glue forming arrangement 304. In thiscondition the gripping element 355 starts to move first verticallydownwards with the same motion laws as the glue forming arrangement 304.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 77 and 78, the gripping element 355moves vertically, following the preform 300. Subsequently, once thepreform 300 has been received by the glue forming arrangement, thegripping element 355 also moves laterally.

In the steps that precede the start of gripping of the preforms 300 bythe gripping element 355 and that immediately follow the end of grippingof the preforms 300 by the gripping element 355 slight oscillations ofthe gripping element 355 may occur, such oscillations, however, do notadversely affect the correct handling of the preforms 300.

1. Apparatus, comprising a transferring arrangement arranged fordelivering doses of plastics to a compression-moulding device, saidtransferring arrangement comprising a receiving element arranged forremoving said doses coming from an extruding device and a deliveringelement arranged for receiving said doses from said receiving elementand delivering said doses to said compression-moulding device, whereinsaid receiving element is supported by said delivering element and ismovable with respect to said delivering element.
 2. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said receiving element is movable between a firstoperating position, in which said receiving element and said deliveringelement are mutually aligned, and a second operating position, in whichsaid receiving element is in a more advanced position with respect tosaid delivering element in a movement direction of said transferringarrangement.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in said firstoperating position, said receiving element and said delivering elementare substantially coaxial.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, andfurther comprising a movement element arranged for moving said receivingelement between said first operating position and said second operatingposition.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said movementelement comprises a wheel element engaging a cam element.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein said movement element comprises a springarranged for maintaining said receiving element in said first operatingposition.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 2, and further comprising adriving and locking device arranged for moving said receiving element insaid second operating position and for maintaining said receivingelement in said second operating position.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein said driving and locking device comprises a plateprovided with a groove inside which a slide is slidably connected tosaid receiving element by means of a rod.
 9. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said receiving element comprises a wall bounding a gaparranged for receiving said doses and an appendage extending from a zoneof said wall nearer said delivering element.
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein said receiving element is movable between a firstoperating position, in which said receiving element and said deliveringelement are mutually aligned, and a second operating position, in whichsaid receiving element is in a more advanced position with respect tosaid delivering element in a movement direction of said transferringarrangement, wherein, when said receiving element is in said secondoperating position, said appendage closes an opening of said deliveringelement through which said doses enter said delivering element. 11.Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in said appendage there isprovided a dispensing arrangement for dispensing a fluid into saiddelivering element.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, whereindispensing arrangement comprises a conduit of said appendage leading toan opening arranged at a face of said appendage facing said deliveringelement.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said dispensingarrangement is provided for dispensing a first flow of said fluid havinga preset pressure for generating a cushion of fluid that surrounds atleast partially said dose and for further dispensing a second flow offluid having further preset pressure to eject said dose from saidtransferring arrangement.
 14. Method, comprising receiving a dose ofplastics in a receiving element of a transferring arrangement arrangedfor removing said dose coming from an extruding device; delivering saiddose from said receiving element to a delivering element of saidtransferring arrangement; further delivering said dose from saiddelivering element to a compression-moulding device, wherein said methodfurther comprises moving said receiving element with respect to saiddelivering element.
 15. Method according to claim 14, wherein saidmoving comprises moving said receiving element between a closingposition in which said receiving element closes an opening of saiddelivering element and an opening position in which said receivingelement is far from said opening, wherein said method further comprisesdispensing a fluid from said receiving element into said transferringarrangement towards said dose when said receiving element closes saidopening.
 16. Method according to claim 15, wherein said dispensing saidfluid comprises dispensing into said transferring arrangement a firstflow of fluid having a preset pressure for generating a cushion of fluidthat surrounds at least partially said dose and further dispensing intosaid transferring arrangement a second flow of fluid having furtherpreset pressure to eject said dose from said transferring arrangement,said further preset pressure being greater than said preset pressure.17. Method according to claim 16, wherein said transferring arrangementcomprises an exit opening through which said dose exits saidtransferring arrangement and first closing element and second closingelement movable between an open configuration in which said firstclosing element and said second closing element enable said dose to passthrough said exit opening and a closed configuration in which said firstclosing element and said second closing element prevent said dosepassing through said exit opening, said dispensing said fluid beingprovided whilst said first closing element and said second closingelement start to move from said closed configuration to said openconfiguration.
 18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said furtherdispensing is provided when said first closing element and said secondclosing element are in said open configuration.